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The Original Support Group

Wasn't that just like a woman to go running off to tell another woman the big news? The angel Gabriel had barely headed back to heaven for his next assignment when Mary grabbed an extra pair of sandals and headed toward the hill country of Judea. Pregnant women gravitate toward each other, and Mary and Elizabeth were no exception.

Luke tells us that Mary was a young girl and her cousin Elizabeth was advanced in years. Experiencing the same miracle of motherhood, however, drew them together. I've often wondered what role Mary's mother played in all this. Did she feel a bit left out of the grandbaby business or did she send greetings to Elizabeth and promise to knit an extra pair of booties when she got time?

The point is, though, Mary didn't stay at home near Mom or bend Joseph's ear. She visited another pregnant woman. She found someone who was going through the same thing she was experiencing. Someone who knew what it was like—a support group!

When Mary entered Elizabeth's house, her cousin "was filled with the Holy Spirit" and began to bless Mary and her unborn baby. In response, Mary's glorious Magnificat rejoiced in "God my Savior."

Luke then adds quite simply, "Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months."

While prayer was surely a major part of their lives during those three months, don't you think there was plenty of "woman talk" between Mary and Elizabeth, too?

Don't you imagine the soon-to-be mothers awestruck at what was happening to them? Could they have been a bit afraid of the responsibilities suddenly thrust upon them? Do you think they had times when they couldn't understand the great plan they were participating in?

I take comfort in thinking these two women talked for hours, discussing their hopes and fears. Possibly Mary's youthful exuberance helped Elizabeth forget her aching back or swollen feet. Maybe Elizabeth taught her cousin a few things about marriage and managing a household. Surely they dreamed together about what their babies would look like, as pregnant women do today.

When I think about Mary's visit to Elizabeth, I think of the comforting network begun by those two women centuries ago. Mary's example of reaching out to another woman and receiving much in return is followed today by women everywhere. Over cups of coffee, through phone calls, letters and e-mails, women support each other. When a friend unburdens to me, our trust in each other grows. When a sister calls simply to say, "I love you," both our lives are enriched. When my note encourages another breast cancer survivor through her chemotherapy treatments, I am strengthened.

Mary and Elizabeth—the original support group!

Women's Ministries refers to support groups as Ministry Groups. As Mary and Elizabeth supported each other, women have the ability to reach out to other women and support them through difficult times and disciple them to become all they are intended to become in Jesus.

A Resource Guide for Successfully Ministering to Women

A Resource Guide for Successfully Ministering to Women was designed to complement A Leader's Guide for Successfully Ministering to Women. This product offers leaders a comprehensive tool kit. The Resource Guide provides state-of-the-art information on issues pertinent to leaders today including leadership development, organizational helps, finance, publicity and much more. In particular, this resource includes over 100 ministry ideas broken down into 15 chapters making it easy for a group to plan a balanced program. Also available in a Spanish language version.

Order yours online through the link above or by phone at 800-641-4310.

 

RITA KAYSER is a free-lance writer, and the author of the children’s book I’m Glad I’m Not an Alligator.