This year in Sunday School the course of study is the New Testament, which I am WAY excited about because I LOVE reading about the life and ministry of the Savior. Anyway, this last week the lesson was on the things that preceeded the birth of the Savior, like the birth of John the Baptist. Well in order to talk about John the Baptist we had to talk about his parents: Zacharias and Elisabeth. There were several things that just resonated with me during this lesson and I thought I would share them. :)
Frist, let me give just a little bit of background. (Just as a refresher) So Elisabeth and Zacharias were both old and had never been able to have children even though the WANTED them. Zacharias was a high priest who worked in the temple and was in charge of burning the incense. One day in the temple the Angel Gabriel came to Zacharias and told him that his wife would bear a son. Zacharias was in complete shock and disbelief (understandably) and as a result was struck dumb. There's the background.
Here's is how I relate to Elisabeth and am inspired by her story:
1.) When Elisabeth found out she was pregnant she said, "Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on
me, to take away my reproach among men." (Luke 1:25)
~ To me this scripture says several things. First, that Elisabeth was flattered the Lord chose
her to have a child in general, especially after so long of being barren. The second is that by becoming pregnant she no longer felt like an outsider in a fertile world. I often feel like an outsider in a fertile community that is having babies, raising children, and establishing families. I really relate to Elisabeth in this instance because I
know that when I do become pregnant someday that "my reproach among men" will also be taken away. I also
know that I will feel INCREDIBLY blessed to be so trusted by the Lord to bear and rear His children.
2.) When Gabriel is first telling Zacharias that he is going to be a father he said, "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." (Luke 1:14)
~ When I read this it gave me so much hope! It is my belief that once Elisabeth gave birth, and even before when she simply
TOLD others she was pregnant, that the people rejoiced for a couple of reasons. I think they rejoiced in John because of who he was, the man he became, and the things he accomplished for men's salvation. I also think they rejoiced for and with Elsabeth for the simple fact that SHE HAD A BABY!!!!! I think that when people know of someone struggling with infertility, they geniuinly want that person to have their happy beginning to a new journey and have a baby. I really and truly believe that. So, I think that people were happy for her because the Lord and FINALLY seen fit to bless Elisabeth and Zacharias with what they had so long hoped for! I feel that when my time comes there will be many who rejoice with me. When I was pregnant the first time, there were many who rejoiced with me, and many who mourned with me when I miscarried. Often I have felt alone in this journey, but it is just occurring to me that I haven't been. Of course my Savior has always been with me, but so have my friends and family. Those that I thought could never truly understand the heartache of inferility have been right there with me. No they may not know what its like to be infertile, but they don't have to. All they have to know is that I am hurting and they are my friend. So many people have known just that and been my support. They have laughed with me, cried with me, been frustrated with me, listened to me rant and rave, watched me try to be strong, and to fall apart. They are my friends and I am truly grateful for them.
The Lord has blessed me in so many ways and continues to pour out His blessings upon my husband and I. He has not left me alone. He has left me friends, family, and the Holy Ghost. I am in no way shape or form alone. And I am in no way shape or form giving up hope. I will have a family someday and will hear the pitter-patter of little feet because the Lord loves
ME just as He loves Elisabeth.
