As we come to a close of Season I of The Real Housewives of the Bible it is time for us to meet our last housewife of the Bible...Mary. Mary's life as a housewife is filled with twists and turns. She was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth. She got pregnant before the wedding. A shocking turn of events in her small town. And, the story Mary was telling about how she got pregnant was even more shocking. She was claiming that her child to be was the future Messiah. Perfect gossip for the other housewives in Nazareth. I imagine the women talked at the market, "Did you hear about Mary? Did you hear she is pregnant? Did you hear she is claiming that she is carrying to Messiah? Seriously, that girl is delusional? Who does she think she is to make such a claim." Can you imagine what Mary must have gone through as the rumors spread? I am sure people stared and made snide comments behind her back.
Gossip! Sadly, we probably all can think of a time, or many times in our life where we too have been guilty of gossip. What is it that causes us to so want to talk about others? Do we think it makes us look better? Do we somehow feel in the know when we have the juicy news on others and get to share it first? Do we use it to try to build alliances with others? Do we ever think about what it might do to the one we are spreading the rumors about? It is even worse when we spiritualize and say, "We need to pray for Mary, she is pregnant and thinks she is having God's son." There are a variety of self-motivating reasons behind gossip, but they are ALL is nothing short of total self-absorption. Gossip has nothing to do with serving or loving the person who we are spreading the rumors about. Gossip says something about us when we spread it and it says something about the condition of our heart.
A more selfless response to when we hear gossip is to come along side the person who is going through the trial. We can do this close up or from a distance. I wonder if anyone in Nazareth came along side of Mary and befriended her. Did they ask, "Are you okay? Are you scared? Do you feel alone? Do you need anything? How can I help?" Later, Elizabeth came along side Mary and supported her, encouraged her, and believed her! I wonder if she was worried when Joseph didn't believe her story. Can you imagine the relief she must have felt when he also heard from an angel?
Often when God reveals His plan to us, the initial news is exciting! But, the journey that follows the directive is usually not easy. I wonder if Mary was surprised at the turn of events. Did she wonder why in her last month of pregnancy she had to travel a great distance? Was she surprised that Jesus was born in a stable? Did she wonder why God hadn't reserved a room? Did she have fear the night she and Joseph fled to Egypt to avoid King Herod? Mary had to walk with alot of trust. Her life path was set out for her before she was ever married and she walked it with grace! She was there when the Messiah was born. She was their when the Messiah died. And she was there when the Messiah rose. Each step of the way she focused on what God had called her to do and considered it an honor! When we focus on what God is doing in us and through us, it leads us to focus on others in a new and selfless way! Mary was a housewife who knew how to be a selfless person by trusting her God!
Join us next time as we have a wrap up of Season I of the Real Housewives of the Bible.
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