Treasure

It is not every day I can say I relate to a Biblical Figure, not that I don't try, pray, seek after, and strive to discover a oneness with our spiritual ancestors.  I don't even know if relate is quite the right word to use here, but due to lack of a better term it will do. 

Motherhood has a unique way of uniting.  It is something so universal and so unique at the same time.  It is mind-boggling to know that this gift I am experiencing has been experienced and shared by women everywhere since the beginning of time.

Maybe united is a better way to articulate my feeling, either way I am unbelievably honored to relate, and so humbled to share this experience of motherhood not only with women everywhere, but one in particular.  Mary, the mother of Jesus, a Saint by all regards, the holiest of figures, the chosen one, the one person in the bible who is perhaps the most un-relateable has been on my mind these last few days.  A particular passage has been ringing in my head the last week or so, making me so aware of this blessing of motherhood.  There are just so many things about Mary that we will never understand, never know, never have a glimpse of comprehending.  The fact that she was chosen above everyone to carry and nurture our Saviour, is something that is just so unbelievable, so divine and so holy, one will never understand.  But something that unites us all to her, is the fact that she was in fact, a mother.  Making her and us a part of this mysterious and miraculous bond.  Mary knew the love a mother knows.  Something I am so honored to experience.  Something so unexplainable, I could never put it into words. 

In the beginning of Luke, he tells us his version of Jesus' birth.  Mary is confronted by not only the joy of being a first time mom, but also is overwhelmed by the meaning of her child.  Her story so unconventional, rings in my ears, over and over, this one particular sentiment is something that plays in my mind.

 Verse 19  "But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart"


Although her experience was on the level of cosmic proportions.  I too feel this overwhelming need to treasure up all these things I have experienced over the last 7 months, and will for the rest of my life ponder them in my heart.   Her ponderings no doubt are something I could never understand, but for some reason I feel that Luke captured the essence of a mother's heat in this one passage, these things that surround our child, the celebration of their arrival, the miraculousness of their birth, the joy they bring, and the trepidation embarking on motherhood holds...is all embodied here with Mary.  The mother of all creation.  She too had this overwhelming desire to treasure up all the things concerning her child and knew just how special each thing, big or small brought to her baby and to the rest of the world.

This last weekend was one of those moments where I was overwhelmed by the blessing motherhood brings.  A bit more conventional than shepherds and angels, wise men and mangers...my experience this weekend brought me to my knees in thankfulness.  Humbled by the love of so many, the thoughtfulness of all that I hold so close, my child was celebrated.  I was paralyzed in thankfulness.  I could do nothing more than at times just sit back and ponder the significance and blessing of motherhood.  Bringing me to a place of complete gratitude and awe of our Lord. 

I am not sure I can even begin to express the depth of my emotion, in fact I am probably sending everyone who reads this to a point of complete confusion.  But this generosity, this embrace, this love, has become my treasure.  Nothing anything material could ever compete with, nor could all the money in the world buy.  My treasure is a divine blessing sent in the form of my bouncing baby in my belly, my loving family, my generous friends, and my extraordinary husband.  A joy I could never articulate, but one that will stay with me throughout my lifetime, and one I will ponder over and over on until the day I die. 

This miracle of motherhood, is one that becomes even more miraculous as the days pass.  I can only imagine what emotions are to come. 

To all that show us the Lord's blessings and love, to all that embrace us as their own, to all that celebrate our sweet girl, we are eternally grateful....you are treasured.