At First Glance

A visitor to my Kentucky acre might believe this curly willow to be dead. 

At first glance, that's understandable. 

"Just cut that down and make room for something new," 
my visitor might say and donate a casual kick. 

But, the gardener knows better than any visitor. 

Time and attention have been invested in this tree—hours of staking, 
pruning, and watering. The considerate gardener knows that 
it's a mistake to hoist or chop in haste. 

What's true in the garden also proves trustworthy in the greater arenas of life:

parenting
friendships

aging
career

So, wait a while. Slow down and look the other way. 

Sometimes, not every time, but occasionally 

 when you look back, you'll find those longed-for signs of life.

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Learn how to root curly willow branches here.  

I just cut a long "whip" and leave it in a bucket or a tall vase of water 
until a decent root ball forms. 

Someone's Elizabeth

So how did Mary cope with the news?

We know that Mary pondered a good bit, and treasured things up in her heart. 

But listen - what do you do with weighty news, be it joyful or filled with sorrow?

 News that crackles with the lightning of a miracle is impossible to contain. 

Of course, you've got to tell somebody!

Did Mary share the news with her family? We don't have an account of that. 

Obviously, her own mother, if she was living, would have known about Mary's pregnancy, 

probably within a few weeks of the angelic visitation.

 I wonder how her mother responded when her daughter said something like,

"God has visited me, and I'm to be the mother of the Messiah."

Did she run to the house of her best friend? Did Mary grasp her girlfriend's hand,

 sweat-slick, and confide that she just spoke with an angel in the kitchen? 

I wonder how that went for her ...

Perhaps Mary's best friend turned away in horror; her own mother may have been 

scalded by scandal, no support at all for the young virgin mother. 

We do know that God gave Mary a great gift in her cousin, Elizabeth. 

Gabriel mentioned Elizabeth in his proclamation, and within a few days, Mary made a visit.  Read it here. 

Elizabeth believed with Mary ... 

No convincing was necessary--God revealed it to Elizabeth Himself. (v. 42)

... rejoiced with Mary ...

She gave a "glad cry" - loose translation: squeals of delight. (v. 43-44)

... and encouraged Mary! 

"You are blessed because you believed!" (v. 45)

Do you have an Elizabeth in your life? 

That special person who believes, without any doubt, no convincing necessary,

 in the impossible dream that God has dropped in your heart? 

I'm so grateful to say that I do. What an amazing treasure! 

Here's an even better question: 

Are you someone's Elizabeth? 

Are you there for a younger woman who needs your support, 

your encouragement, and your joy?

If not, I encourage you to check out your local pregnancy care center. 

It's a logical place to lend a hand to young women who need an Elizabeth like YOU. 

Here's where I volunteer. 

Here's a locator for your area - just enter your zip code. 

To Laugh or to Cry

I didn't take many pictures like this until I had the third child. When my first and second melted down like this, I was overcome with concern ("Is something hurting him?"), or frustration ("Crying again?), or weariness ("When is it naptime?").  But on this third little boy, I was able to see the humor in it. Look at his pitiful little self—baby doll in hand, all set to ride his tiny tricycle. When I said, "Time to come inside for a happy-nappy," he was devastated. As an experienced mom, I'm prepared to kiss his tears, think him utterly adorable, and put him in the bed. Take heart, younger mothers—this thing gets easier as we grow wiser.