A Mother's Thoughts
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
She held the baby to her chest, looking into his eyes. His eyes were dark, his hair was dark, and his skin was pink. He was wrinkled. He was beautiful. She carefully unfolded a bit of the blanket and peeked inside. His fingers -- they were so small! His hand seemed so small against her hand. His fingernails were tiny.
And that little neck, so wrinkled, so inviting. She kissed it softly and watched her baby squirm. She studied his face. Little lines were formed around his mouth as it made little sucking motions. He wrinkled his nose and sneezed. He opened his eyes for just an instant before closing them tightly in sleep.
Those dark eyes. She had seen a glimpse of them a moment ago. They seemed so big against his little face. She couldn't wait until he would have them open for longer periods.
He was sleeping in her arms as she thought about her baby. Her tiny little baby. What would he grow up to do? What would he be like? Would he be outgoing or quiet and reserved? Would he be full of energy or cautious? Would he play boisterously or quietly? She wondered.
The only thing she knew for sure was that he was precious. Perfect. Beautiful.
He was meant for something special, she knew. Everyone was special, although she didn't feel so special nine months ago when she found out she was pregnant. She was confused, but she knew she couldn't change what had happened. She had to live with it. She would have to be strong and carry on.
Her cousin had become pregnant recently and had given her lots of advice and support. People were talking about her and at times she just wanted to hide. But she wasn't one to seek pity. She just went on with her life.
And now she had given birth to a new life. The process was painful, but as soon as her baby was placed on her chest, it was as if the pain had been erased from her mind. He was so beautiful! So sweet, crying with all his might to announce his presence.
She didn't really know how to hold him. She was so young, barely a teenager, but as soon as she held him, kissed him, and nursed him it was as if she had always known what to do. She wasn't frightened. She just took care of her baby.
And her baby would take care of her in her old age. He could make sure her future was secure. He would see to it that her destiny was favorable.
She grew tired. She needed to sleep. But not before she gave her little son a kiss on the forehead. Such a sweet baby. She called for Joseph to take the baby. Jesus, her baby. Her sweet little boy. Her life.
And that little neck, so wrinkled, so inviting. She kissed it softly and watched her baby squirm. She studied his face. Little lines were formed around his mouth as it made little sucking motions. He wrinkled his nose and sneezed. He opened his eyes for just an instant before closing them tightly in sleep.
Those dark eyes. She had seen a glimpse of them a moment ago. They seemed so big against his little face. She couldn't wait until he would have them open for longer periods.
He was sleeping in her arms as she thought about her baby. Her tiny little baby. What would he grow up to do? What would he be like? Would he be outgoing or quiet and reserved? Would he be full of energy or cautious? Would he play boisterously or quietly? She wondered.
The only thing she knew for sure was that he was precious. Perfect. Beautiful.
He was meant for something special, she knew. Everyone was special, although she didn't feel so special nine months ago when she found out she was pregnant. She was confused, but she knew she couldn't change what had happened. She had to live with it. She would have to be strong and carry on.
Her cousin had become pregnant recently and had given her lots of advice and support. People were talking about her and at times she just wanted to hide. But she wasn't one to seek pity. She just went on with her life.
And now she had given birth to a new life. The process was painful, but as soon as her baby was placed on her chest, it was as if the pain had been erased from her mind. He was so beautiful! So sweet, crying with all his might to announce his presence.
She didn't really know how to hold him. She was so young, barely a teenager, but as soon as she held him, kissed him, and nursed him it was as if she had always known what to do. She wasn't frightened. She just took care of her baby.
And her baby would take care of her in her old age. He could make sure her future was secure. He would see to it that her destiny was favorable.
She grew tired. She needed to sleep. But not before she gave her little son a kiss on the forehead. Such a sweet baby. She called for Joseph to take the baby. Jesus, her baby. Her sweet little boy. Her life.
