I was desperate. John was 16 when he started working. He met a fast group of older boys, and soon he was climbing out of his window at midnight to join them. (My husband) Steve and I got stricter, but he was rebelling. I traveled to see Shirley, just as Mary (the mother of Jesus) traveled to see Elizabeth. Shirley’s children were grown, walking with the Lord, and I had observed firsthand what a tremendous mother she was. She told me three things: to pray fervently, to release him to God, and to keep loving him. I told her I was so angry with him. She said I could still love him. Even if I had trouble talking to him, I could give him shoulder rubs. I could play chess with him.
When you are afraid, you feel as though you are driving in a blizzard. It is such a welcome sight to have a car pull ahead of you on the road, because that car’s tail lights can keep you from going into the ditch. Shirley kept me from going into the ditch—she was a little further down the road from me and had handled blizzards wisely.
John did turn around—dramatically. I have always been thankful to God for Shirley and for working in John’s heart.
The following questions sometimes ask you to read between the lines, and we may vary in our thoughts—but that’s good. Don’t be afraid to speculate or to disagree with someone in love. All of these questions are based on Luke 1:1-56 and Matthew 1:18-25.
1. How much further along was Elizabeth than Mary in her pregnancy? (Give a Scripture reference)
2. (Challenge question) Mary stayed three months. Why do you think she might have stayed so long?
3. What similar reactions did Zechariah and Joseph have to the news of their wives pregnancies?
4. (Challenge question) If Mary had fears about returning and telling Joseph, how might Elizabeth have been equipped to mentor her?
5. What other mentoring might have happened during these three months?
6. So often we look for a mentor and neglect to mentor. Think about the blizzards God has brought you through. Is there anyone in your path going through similar blizzards? How might you show her you are approachable?
7. What’s your takeaway this week?
