Three Days: A Mother's Story Read Free

and it felt familiar and genuine.
    “Cousin Elizabeth?”
    She continued to approach me, then stopped suddenly. Her faded eyes grew wide, and her smile vanished as her brows shot up. “Oh!” she said as she stood there for a moment, clutching her midsection with both hands.
    “Are you all right?” I asked as I ran to her. I hoped my arrival was not too unexpected or unsettling for her. “Shall I call for help?”
    Then she seemed to relax as she smiled and said, “Dear Mary, you are so blessed among women!” Gently taking my hands in hers, she continued to speak, looking directly into my eyes as if she could see straight into my soul. “And even more blessed is the babe who sleeps in your womb! But why am I so fortunate that the mother of my Lord comes to visit my humble home?”
    I was speechless! But at the same time my heart bubbled with joy at her words. Cousin Elizabeth knew what was happening in me! She understood the miracle Jehovah had begun!
    “The babe inside me leaped!” she said with moist eyes. “The moment I saw you ...” Then she took my hand and firmly placed it on her rounded belly. “My son leaped for joy! You have been greatly blessed, dear Mary. You have believed what God has told you. And now every word will come true!”
    And it was as if Jehovah himself had removed the cork that had been keeping my words within me, and like a psalm, or perhaps a fountain of praise, they came pouring out of me. Elizabeth laughed and clapped her hands when I finished.
    Even now I still remember those words. I know them by heart. Sometimes I repeat them to myself. I think they might help me on this dark and hopeless night. And now, perhaps more than ever before, I am encouraged by the powerful truth. I remind myself that this thing—this thing that mighty Jehovah has begun—is not over yet.
Lord God Jehovah has filled my soul to bursting!
And my spirit rejoices in my Savior!
Although I was lowly, he honored me—he chose me for his handmaid.
And forevermore I shall be called blessed!
Jehovah has done great things for me, and his name is Holy!
His mercy is poured out on all who trust him.
He shows his power and strength and tumbles the proud.
He dethrones the mighty and exalts the humble.
He feeds the hungry, but those who think they are rich leave with nothing.
He remembers his chosen Israel, pouring out his mercy!
Just as he has promised—beginning with Abraham and for all eternity!

3
    DURING MY VISIT WITH Elizabeth, I was treated like a princess. My cousin was so delighted to have my company during the latter part of her pregnancy. Especially since her husband, Zacharias, was unable to speak. I found this strangely intriguing. How could it be that a priest was unable to speak? Then Elizabeth explained how Zacharias had doubted the angel of the Lord when he told him that God planned to bless them with a child.
    “My poor husband could not believe that anyone as ancient as he and I could bear children,” Elizabeth said, sadly shaking her head. “He doubted God.”
    I nodded with understanding. After all, that was exactly what my own mother had done.
    “And in that moment God struck him mute,” Elizabeth said with an amused smile. “As a result, it has been very quiet around here—that is, until you arrived.”
    Elizabeth made sure I ate healthful foods and got plenty of sleep while in her home. She also shared with me all the knowledge she had been gathering about pregnancy and childbirth. She was the kind of woman who had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a love for God that was unsurpassed. To this day, I think of her as one of my finest examples of womanhood, and I am eternally grateful for the influence she had on my life.
    She also took me under her wing in regard to my wardrobe. Without insulting my poor peasant girl attire, she helped me make some lovely garments that I later used for my wedding and married life, as well as some fine pieces for my still unborn son. She had an eye for