Dec 13, 2008

Just A Simple Girl


My daughter started a blog, The Princess Diaries, months ago and has had little time to write with two little girls, a busy husband, a job as a gymnastics coach, and an active member of our church and choir. She recently came back to blogging and wrote what I think is a really beautiful post about Mary, the mother of Jesus. I think of my daughter mostly as my sweet little girl, but reading this little article she wrote made me realize just how thoroughly she shares the emotions of every woman and mother. I think you will enjoy reading Julie's thoughts on Mary - a simple girl's journey to extraordinary motherhood.

A Simple Girls Journey To Extraordinary Motherhood by Julie for The Princess Diaries:
"At my most recent MOPS meeting, we were asked to consider Christmas simply. Mary was a mom, just like me (except her child was God!). I'm sure she had morning sickness, swollen ankles, exhaustion, varicose veins, weight gain, headaches and all the rest of it during her pregnancy with Jesus. And then, when she was nice and huge, she had to ride to Bethlehem ON A DONKEY?! Um...no thanks. No wonder she went into labor as soon as they arrived! Oh, and there were no epidurals. Just labor on the dirt floor covered in dirty straw. Back then, a woman's family would attend her birth. But Mary didn't have her mama. Just Joseph, who was probably as nervous as any dad would be today. Oh, and lets not forget the farm animals! Um...no thanks. What did she think when she heard Jesus' first cry? I imagine it was much the same as the rest of us when our babies were born. Except she had the added stress of knowing she had to raise God's son. After the baby was born, they had to wrap him in dirty rags and use an animal feed trough as a bassinet. The first visitors were a bunch of shepherds who probably smelled of sheep. No hand sanitizer to get rid of the sheep germs before touching the baby! But you know what, Mary pondered ALL of these things and treasured them in her heart. I had never thought of Christmas in this way, but I really enjoyed that MOPS meeting! I hope that you are able to take some time this Christmas to treasure in YOUR heart the precious simplicity of the birth of our Savior! "
Spiritual Sundays is hosted by Charlotte and Ginger. Stop by today to read some inspirational postings.

14 comments:

Musings of A Minister said...

It's impossible for me to look at this splendid post through a woman's eyes but I can look at it from Joseph's viewpoint and consider how he must have felt about his wife and new born son. I too have a daughter and I realize everyday that she is no longer my "little girl" but a grown up, mature, complex, Christian woman. Mary is one of the great woman of the Bible. Thanks for helping us to see her in a fresh way at this time of the year.

God Chaser said...

May my heart be filled with such treasures to ponder. How very nice. Have a blessed SS

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post!
Bless You,

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Truly inspirational reading.

SmilingSally said...

Mary was a human, like us. She experienced "Mom things" like we mothers have. She is not to be worshiped, but admired as the chosen vessel. There's a beautiful song, "Mary, Did You Know" that I'm thinking about. Happy Spiritual Sunday!

Justabeachkat said...

I loved reading this!

Hugs!
Kat

Anonymous said...

What precious insight your daughter has. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Bonnie said...

Your daughter, Julie is gifted at creating the imagery to to actually carry us there and experience what it must have been like. Having given birth and witnessed some of my grandchildren being born, the Savior's birth had to be very difficult on the young Mary. Thank you for sharing this it engenders compassion we might have otherwise overlooked at this time of the year.

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

This is so beautiful, your daughter is right. Mary was just a little girl who became a Mother. I have read this several times today, thinking of myself and being a Mother and watching Jesus. Thank you for the beautiful post.

Christmas Hugs,
Kathi :)

Being Mrs Miles said...

VERY insightful of your daughter - as a woman I truly enjoyed her 'take' on things

It always strikes me that Mary is portrayed as patient thru it all - while I KNOW I would have been grumping at my husband as he would drive from hotel to hotel... why just camping sometimes when we were not able to get a site in the busy season brought out the cranky side in me. Mary, if how I understand the scripture, was just opposite to the 'oh so human and impatient me' is under pressure. But I (along with a LOT of help from God) am working on it.

thank you for sharing, what a blessing to have read this from your daughter, and thank you for sharing it!

Anonymous said...

Kathy
I must thank you for "helping me find pinks". I did find the feather tree and the pretty pink ornaments at Zeller's last week. I love them. Also found some great pinks at our Canadian Tire if you have seen those around!! Girls are saying "A tire store"... but oh it's more than that trust me.
Merry Christmas
Claudie from Canada
P.S. Your daughter knows how to write about special lady.

Neabear said...

Beautiful! Thank you for the reminder.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Merry Christmas Sweet Kathy!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Julie said...

Wow - I'm so glad you all liked the Mary post. I had been really struggling this Christmas season with "how can I help my family really celebrate Jesus?" This wonderful idea of a "simple Christmas" was presented to us at MOPS and it brought tears to all of our eyes. Oh, and Mom - I'll ALWAYS be your baby girl!!!