Here is a blog post my husband’s grandma, Betty Ann Landis, shared with me. Although it is written in third person, it is a personal story from a dream she had as a young girl. Imagine with her, for a moment, what it would feel like to be asked to give up your own hopes and dreams to carry the Son of God Himself. ~Alison

Even though she lived for God and enjoyed His blessings, something had drastically changed in the young woman’s life. She had once enjoyed the blessing and approval of many friends. Now she realized that whispered accusations were often spoken about the sudden turn of events that had come to her. The news of her “sin” was being passed from one mouth to another all over the community. When she made attempts to declare her innocence, she was met with mocking scorn and rebuke. She met silent stares of condemnation everywhere she went. Familiar friends began to feel awkward in her presence and conversation ceased when she neared a group of acquaintances conversing on the street corner. 

She was deeply pained when looks of disbelief and hurt registered on her mother’s face. “Why not simply confess your sin, my child, rather than add untruthfulness to the situation?” The hardest part of all was to convince her fiancé’ that indeed she had not betrayed his trust! What a dilemma! But what a relief when she awoke to discover it was only a dream. 

Yet she could not shrug off the dream. She remembered another young maiden named Mary who once faced a similar situation–but in reality. Mary had committed her life to God, living in purity and holiness. She along with every young girl in Israel waited for the Promised One. After the angel’s sudden announcement, her life was changed forever. She, an ordinary young Jewish maiden, would become the mother of the promised Messiah! 

Except for the companionship and understanding of Elizabeth, she may have faced a lot of scorn, loneliness, and rejection from her peers and maybe even some of her family members. There was also the cloud of divorce from her beloved fiancé’ Joseph, and the death penalty. How could she convince Joseph that she had not been unfaithful to him?  

But then, God sent an angel in the night to explain God’s plan to Joseph. From that moment, Joseph believed and understood his role in God’s plan. He willingly shared the shame in the “gossip” and provided support to his sweet bride-to-be. 

What if Mary and Jospeh had refused to accept their part in God’s plan? What if they had been more concerned about their reputation, than God’s plan of redemption? What if Mary had decided she had a right to her own body and chosen to abort the new life in her womb? 

Even though we do not exalt Mary and Joseph unduly, we can appreciate their willingness to bear the shame and  disgrace so that God’s plan for our salvation could be accomplished!