Taking away my disgrace

"In these days he has shown he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." Elizabeth's sigh

The spilling over of God's plan involved an old couple, a disgraced woman and a longing fulfilled. God could have chosen another...but like his MO from old he chose a barren woman to carry the special child. Think...Sarah, Rebeca, Rachel...

A silent husband...a beaming mother to be. It was her time to shine and husband could not do a thing about it. I have a feeling that Zechariah was a wonderful man....he had not left his barren wife and remained faithful all his days...BUT maybe with this position as a priest and the smallness of the community, he might have had a lot to say about a lot of things.

He could not talk...Elizabeth had the floor...but she went into seclusion. Silent husband, hidden away wife... pregnancy at an advanced age...this is the Talk of the Town but no one is talking. My the rumors must have flown...

There is an awkwardness with those who can't have children. Do you invite them to the shower? Do you tell them about your 2nd pregnancy? It is a silent SCREAM...Elizabeth must have withstood a lot of questions, awkward silences, changes the subject for many years. She must have come to an understanding, a way to letting people know that she rejoiced with them in their wonderful news but that she still was sad and embarrassed that she could not produce a new life in her womb. How God knows how women on the inside feel...He restores an old woman's reputation while 6 months later...destroys a young woman's...Go figure !

It was a conversation between the two of them...God and his daughter. What a time of giggling and wonder must have occurred as her heart overflowed. She could not talk to her husband...she talked to her Maker. Secrets of the best kind !!!

A labor of love this journey of hope...He still does this, this taking away of disgrace. You have had those conversations in secret places. It is why you smile at odd times...and breath deep even now.