by Adesuwa Ehinome Iluobe
“Mother!” ‘Yes Mary?” Mary was giddy with excitement, “Can I go to visit cousin Elizabeth?”
"Huh? That’s sudden” Her Mother dropped the basket she was holding and straightened herself to remove clothes hanging on the line at the side of their house. Mary picked up the basket, took the clothes from her Mother’s hands, folded them, and put them in the basket, “it’s been a while, after what happened to Uncle Zechariah it’s good to go see. It’s been six months and we haven’t heard if he has regained his speech.” “How long do you want to be gone for?” “4 months” Her Mother eyed her, “4 months!” “Okay Mother, how about 3? She watched her Mother nod her head as she spoke. “What would we tell Joseph?” Mary shrugged, “if I do not spend time with Cousin Elizabeth now, I am not sure I can do that after the marriage rites are done.” She could not tell her Mother anything the angel had said, but she heard him clearly say that cousin Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant! Oh, how they have prayed for Cousin Elizabeth and Uncle Zechariah to have children. A maidservant walked up to them and took the basket from Mary. Being an only child, her parents Joachim and Anne brought her up to know Yahweh but not without the absence of comfort. They also owned lush lands, managed tens of slave servants and were counted among the wealthy. “Alright. You can set out tomorrow morning with some of your Father’s men and two maids. I will talk to your Father before you bring it up at dinner” Mary grabbed her Mother in a tight hug “thank you Mother!” Considering she was a teenager and female, escorts were necessary. “I will give you some things for her.” Her Mother murmured. “Baby things right?” Her Mother narrowed her eyes, “Baby things? Why? Cousin Elizabeth should be around 90 years old dear.” Mary pinched her finger, reminding herself to shut up. “We had you in old age but not as old as Cousin Elizabeth, oh, I love your faith Mary and how you love your cousin.” Her Mother said smiling. To which Mary only nodded. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” — Luke 1:45 NIV
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