In today’s passage, we get to see a beautiful picture of Elizabeth and Mary, two women from different generations and life stages share in one another’s joy. What would it look like if we could do the same? If we, despite all of our doubt or hurt, could celebrate what the Lord is doing in the lives of others, he could be glorified through our relationships. In order to have a better understanding of the context, we have to read a little further back, beginning in verse 5. Elizabeth was the wife of Zechariah, a priest, and they were “well advanced in years” (Luke 1:18). This verse is slightly comical because, in the original Greek, it could be paraphrased as “my wife already has one foot in the grave.” Zechariah was in the temple burning incense and praying for the people when an angel of The Lord appeared and declared that Elizabeth would have a son—even though Elizabeth was “barren” (Luke 1:7).
Infertility is a tough subject. The pain and long-suffering of yearning for a child, only to be met with empty arms, can be unbearable. In biblical times, it was not only emotionally painful, but it was also a source of great shame. Women who struggled to have children were considered cursed. They were scorned and looked down upon.
On the other side of the spectrum is Mary, a betrothed teenager, visited by an angel of the Lord. She, too, would give birth to a son. The angel shared with Mary that Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy before he departed. She responded with a faithful, “Let it be so,” and journeyed to Elizabeth’s side.
When Mary greeted Elizabeth, “the baby leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:41). There was no comparison or condemnation. Elizabeth was not bitter or jealous. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blessed her.
Friendships ….real ones…..are strongest when the times are tough. A real friend does not stray from you when you are at your worst. They rise up and take care of you and you will do the same when they need you. I can be more giving with my time and love to my friends and not be so scared to get hurt. When I feel in my heart that this person deserves my love, I should not run and hide from that intense feeling, but rise up. At the end of the day, if I fall flat on my face, there is still a lesson to be learned. Sometimes we hurt but love is so worth it.
I can make deliberate phone calls and texts and or gestures to my friends just letting them know I love them and appreciate them. I can also make sure to ask about what is going on with them and truly care and follow up on what is going on in there life.
Being intentional in all relationships is important and can be hard and overwhelming. I try to text or touch base at least one a week but as my circle grows it gets harder to keep up and sometimes get overwhelmed with life and someone falls through the cracks. I intentionally try to keep my casual friendships in a group setting so that I can keep time for deep friendships and personal relationships…but even with at I fail at times. But true friendships don’t hold grudges and let each other grow and fail with out condemnation.
By sharing more faith-based conversations with my friends that are not as Christ-centered and invite them to church and Bible study. But also, to continue to lead a life of example.
I feel like keeping the communication open is a great way. I understand that we all have lives but just checking on somebody or asking them their day is a nice way to show that you care about another person. Sometimes sharing helps show people that they can open up about anything. Not necessarily saying that they have to in return. by being open,honest and creating a save space for your friend(s) is showing that you care and giving kindness. we are all human and we all have pasts. we live and learn.