Elizabeth, Episode 3 (11/30/2021)

Episode 3: Elizabeth

And Gabriel said to Mary, behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” ...  During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke Chapter 1, verses 36-37, and 45-49.

All things are possible with God. For years I prayed for a child, and God answered my prayers, but many years later than I expected! For a while, I thought maybe he didn’t hear me. But his timing was different than mine. So here I am, Elizabeth, an old woman, who has been blessed with a newborn baby. My cousin Mary is also expecting a child. God is doing amazing things for us! All will be revealed soon. I will not speculate or try to imagine what God has planned, because I know that whatever I can imagine, God's plan will be infinitely better than my wildest dreams. Trust in God, for nothing is impossible for God.

During this season of Advent, ask the Lord to help you trust him with your whole heart. Ask him to help you be patient, especially with any unanswered prayers. God is faithful and he will never abandon us. And remember: all things are possible with God!

Lord Jesus, help us to trust you. Help us to believe that you have a wonderful and amazing plan for each of us. And even when we don’t see it or understand it, help us to keep believing. Amen.

Prayer Starter for Parents

"For a while, I thought maybe he didn’t hear me. But his timing was different than mine." It's so hard to be patient! And when we're trying to be patient with God, our faith can really be tested. It's easy to think that maybe God didn't hear us when we prayed. Or maybe he ignored us, or forgot about us. It's ok for our kids (and us!) to wonder these things, as long as we go back to what we know in faith: God never abandons us. God always has a plan for us.

For your prayer time today with your kids, spend a minute talking about how long Elizabeth and Zechariah waited for God to answer their prayer. How does it make them feel? How hard would it be to wait that long? Would it seem easier to give up? Let your kids know that it's ok to feel those things, but in the end God wants us to know and trust two important things:

He never abandons us: "Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread... The Lord will never fail you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) 

He always has a wonderful plan for us: "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,  I will let you find me." (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

Pray through these two verses with your kids. Emphasize the truths that the Lord is telling us: The Lord will never fail you. I will listen to you. You will find me. Ask them how that makes them feel. And pray for them to conclude: "Lord Jesus, thank you for your wonderful promises. Even when we think you didn't hear us, even when we think you're not listening, help us to remember and know that you will never abandon us. Help us to remember that you always hear us. Help us to remember that you have a wonderful plan for each of us that is the best thing we could ever imagine. Amen."