In the last days of my third pregnancy, early one morning, my sister called to say, “Today is the day the baby will be born. I’m coming to Victoria.” The thought of preparing for a guest, even my sister, prompted a sigh. “If you say so,” I replied with the aloof love reserved for a sibling. But I hoped she was right.
In the afternoon, the first contraction hit like shellshock as Thomas settled our kids at a nearby café with hot chocolates. Perfect timing, I thought, as the waitress put my turkey sandwich in front of me, and I whimpered a polite, “Thank you.” My kids still joke, “best sandwich you ever ate, eh, Mom?” It was. As we walked back to the house, my sister pulled up to the curb. She took the kids while Thomas and I gathered the things we needed for the hospital. It was perfect timing.
As God prepared Mary for her future, God’s timing ensured she would not journey alone. She had the deep compassion and accompaniment of a sister, who would share in her joy and in her fear.
God of Mary’s joy, you place yourself in our lives, through the accompaniment of others. Empower us to be your mercy, too, that your love may be born anew beyond all things. In Jesus, we pray. Amen. —