Pregnant?

        “Mary must have been in shock,” I said.

          “She’s not the only one, I am too,” my friend Gerry said.

          We were a group of friends having lunch at the beginning of December.  This group was great fun because we never knew where the conversation will lead.

          “What do you mean, you are shocked too?” I asked.

          “My pastor explained it to me this way. Mary became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. As believers in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit inside us too. Mary brought forth Jesus to the world. The Holy Spirit will use each believer to bring Jesus to the world. So, we are all pregnant!”

          After visiting with my friends, I couldn’t forget what Gerry had said.

          “I’m pregnant too, Lord? I don’t understand. How will you bring Jesus to the world through me?”

          “Is that okay with you, Sue?”

          I went back to Scripture and looked at what had happened to Mary.  When she found out she would give birth to Jesus, she said yes.

“Okay, I guess the details are in your hands, Father. May your Word to me be fulfilled.”

          You cannot say yes to God, without watching to see what will happen. Just like you don’t forget that you’re pregnant.

          And it came to pass in those days that the education director had the Sunday School students make Christmas cards for our church members who were homebound or living in facilities. The cards were impressive. Each consisted of a full sheet of construction paper that held all the love and glitter the kids could muster. 

          The church secretary pondered how to get these cards delivered without spending a fortune in postage. She called me. “Sue, will you visit your friend in assisted living this month? We have eight members in that facility. Would you mind delivering some Christmas cards to them?”

          “Sure, I plan to go tomorrow. I’ll stop by and pick them up before I go.”

          Most of the names on the cards were unfamiliar. I asked my friend if she would help me find these people. She held the cards while I pushed her wheelchair. She directed me as we rolled through different sections and hallways searching out each recipient.

          Everyone smiled as we visited and delivered what seemed like a treasure to them. I’d thought they were just cards. 

           One man in particular, Bob, was unforgettable. “Oh, the church…the church. How I miss it! And I’ll never have communion again.” Tears glistened in his eyes.

          After I went home, I couldn’t forget his words. I started having trouble sleeping, so I went to talk to my pastor. I told him the whole story, pregnancy, and all.

          “What can we do about this?” I asked.

          He looked into my eyes. “If you’re willing, you could do this,” he said. “I can teach you how to lead the worship service and serve communion in a worthy manner. We can consecrate the elements here before you take them. But you have to understand this would be your baby. Our staff is stretched too thin to do this for you. Mary and Joseph had to raise Jesus after he was born.” 

           So, I learned. By Lent, I led a worship service in two facilities once a month. 

          Now, I’m no angel, but I feel compelled to tell you: You are pregnant. If Jesus is your Savior and the Holy Spirit resides in you, then you will bring forth Jesus to the world. It’s God’s plan for you. Will you say, “yes”?

Susan Boltz

  Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38 NKJV)