The natural cascade soothed Mary and many days she walked by as she prayed and sought the mind of God. It was the way she’d been raised. Her family believed in God, and though her father remained grounded and adamant in the Jewish ways, he taught his children to choose.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” his deep voice rang out at every meal but he’d caught her several times forget to say the grace.
Mary reserved those confessions for her walk by the cascade.
The stream rushed with exceptional warm water and she wished she could jump in the way she did as a child. But she was a full-grown woman now. Betrothed too. No one could ever understand such childish behavior and her father would never condone it.
Sometimes it amazed her he gave them so much freedom to be whom they wanted, yet kept everyone on a tight leash.
She put her hand in the water and closed her eyes.
Everything had changed in such a little time. She was no longer a young girl, free to make her mistakes. Her heart thudded. Jehovah knows best, and he knows why.
Of all the betrothed maidens in Israel, she had gotten the visitation. She believed God. He used the weak things to confirm the strong.
She turned at the footsteps behind her. Joseph. So strong, so handsome. She was blessed to have him. She smiled.
He crouched beside her. “Beloved.”
His dark eyes searched her face. She looked away shyly. He was such a deep thinker. Would he understand? Or had Jehovah sent him a messenger too?
“It seemed so important to send for you. To come here.” She looked around her. “It’s so peaceful here. I feel so close to the presence of God.”
“It is a beautiful and calm place to be.” He narrowed his eyes. “We only meet here when something important is to be said. Don’t keep me waiting.”
She drew in her breath. “I had a visitor.”
“Jehovah be praised.”
Trust Joseph to be so willing and so eager. But many had been divinely visited. From the days of Abraham and the fathers of faith. None like this.
“A little lamb will be mine soon. Ours.”
Joseph frowned. “A little lamb?”
“The Holy Spirit—I am with child by the Holy One. The messiah.”
She didn’t make sense. Joseph picked the only sentence any man would. He straightened. “You are with child.”
She nodded. “The angel of the Lord—”
“Do whatever you wish but by the heavens do not blaspheme!” He stepped away from her. “Do not blaspheme, beloved.” He turned and walked away at the speed of light.
Author bio:
Sinmisola Ogúnyinka is a pastor’s wife, mother, writer and movie producer. She has a university degree in Economics, and is a Craftsman of Christian Writers’ Guild. She lives with her family in Pretoria, South Africa.
Blog: www.sinmisolao.wordpress.com
Twitter: @sinmisolaog
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/en/cascada-balchik-bulgaria-supplies-508131/
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