PREACHER’S NOTE 19 DECEMBER 2021
Sanctuary
The young girl looked at herself in the
mirror, turning sideways to see if the
loose-fitting dress hid the bump. Already
her Mom had been looking
at her quizzically. “Are you feeling
alright?” she had asked, again and
again. Of course, the constant nausea
wasn’t helping. The other girls
just wanted to talk about the wedding,
the food, the dresses, the boys
that would be there. They looked and talked right past
her – she hid the pain well. Her fiancé was very busy at
the carpentry shop, so he wasn’t around to chat. And he
was the only one who really knew what was going on!
Lord, you sure know how to make life difficult!
Her cousin was having a baby (too, she had whispered to
herself). What a miracle! But how was she going to cope?
She was getting on a bit. She had paused mid-thought.
Maybe …? On impulse, she had packed her things, told
Joseph over dinner. “… OK. See you when I see you?” he
had said, a bit hesitantly. She finished up, picked up her
bags, and closed the door. “In for a penny” she thought.
The door was open, and she peeked in. “Hello…” she
ventured. A shriek of pure joy greeted her, a broad smile
and a cup of tea rustled up out of nowhere found her
sitting at the kitchen table, already relaxing. Elizabeth
was bubbly, and positively radiant. She looked at Mary,
serious for once, and said: ”God is so good. Who would
have thought He’d choose us two to start His new kingdom!
Mary smiled, and said quietly “Thank you Lord”.
Do you need a sanctuary, friend? Somewhere you can
go just to relax, feel at home, loved and affirmed? Somewhere
you can just be, and think, and get your mind
around where you are? My prayer for you is a place to
be, where you find just that. After a hard and confusing
year, may you find peace, love, and joy in a special
place that God has prepared, just for you, because He
cares.
Blessings, Andrew.