Returning Home

“Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.” (Luke 1:56)

Growing up, my brothers, cousins, and I would spend the weekend at our grandparents’ houses on a fairly regular basis. We would sometimes stay two at a time, paired up with a cousin or sibling. Or occasionally, we would all stay together at “Mamma Boo Boo’s” house, where she would spoil us all rotten. She made all of our favorite foods, including the best Sunday morning bacon, cooked to perfection and tempting enough to get us all up, fed, and out the door in time for church.

But then Sunday evening would roll around, and we would all practically be in tears (Mamma included).

Our parents walked through the door to cries of, “We don’t want to go home!”

It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with home. It’s just that the weekend with grandparents and cousins had been so much fun. We were never ready to leave.

~~~

I’m guessing Mary was feeling a similar sentiment when it came time for her to leave Elizabeth and Zechariah’s house. Surely she was reluctant to leave a place of safety and understanding for the unknown that lay ahead.

Facing her parents and Joseph.

Sharing her astounding news, with no guarantee that anyone was going to believe or support her.

But while Mary may not have wanted to go, she—like the Son who is to come—turns resolutely toward home and the work that God has entrusted her to do there.