Every now and then a great life lesson just comes to us. This is one of those moments when I felt it so important to express this one in particular. Many of us know the story of Mary, Joseph and of course, Jesus. Mary became pregnant via God’s Holy Spirit, while engaged to be married to Joseph. What an interesting situation to find one’s self in, right? Since in those days of old, engagements lasted at least a year and were a contract to be married, Joseph had a tough decision to make. How was he ever going to explain Mary’s conception to others and how was he ever going to accept it himself? A story about a woman conceiving a child without a male sounds pretty far-fetched even these days.
Joseph made the only decision he felt was righteous. He would “put Mary away quietly”. There were so many legalities involved in her “dilemma”. We have a woman pregnant and not by her future husband. Adultry carried a very severe punishment back then. Engagement was a contract and causing it to be broken would be heart-wrenching not to mention legally devastating. Families were involved here, and the questioning of ethics as well. Let’s not forget Joseph suffering embarrassment over the whole situation. So, he didn’t go from person to person and tell them the dirty deed he assumed Mary committed. He didn’t call on his relatives nor did he cause a huge scandal. He did not become bitter over his hurt feelings. He must have had hurt feelings much more than we know. He decided to be quiet about it and it’s a good thing he did!
As the story goes, Joseph was given a dream. In the dream, the Holy Spirit told him to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife and the child she carried was a special gift to the entire world. So, therefore he went through with taking Mary as his wife and of course, Jesus was born.
There are a couple lessons I wanted to point out through this event. One is Joseph was an honorable man, and because he was, he was searching to do the honorable thing for Mary. There was no gossip. He didn’t feel the need to justify himself. He was going to be silent about the event, never jumping the gun. He did not plan on telling everyone and eventually, the whole world would know. No one would completely understand the gift we all would receive through Mary’s willingness to carry and give birth to Jesus. We never know what is on the other side of any situation. Plus, being an honorable person and not bringing someone shame is a gift of the heart. Keeping personal events personal and sacred displays that honor.
The other lesson is we never know what blessing or gift God will give to us for our ethics. It might be a gift to many or even just to one person. I know when I am going through a hard issue the last thing I want is someone telling everyone and their brother I’m struggling. A sure gift to me is for others to honor me, be there for me, and not gossip about me. I know anyone would feel the same way. It takes a lot of strength and integrity to not belittle someone who has either made a mistake or has found themselves in a difficult situation.
Jesus was and is such a gift to this world. What an amazing feeling to have others feel we are a gift to this world. Sometimes we really need that. Sometimes we need those closest to us to keep things to themselves and to trust themselves enough to give honor to someone else who is hurting. They might just be carrying an amazing new birth inside of them. Our lives give birth over and over again if we allow life to lead us there. Hopefully, those who are around us are secure and mature enough to let us give birth so to speak, and let the world see the gift we bring. Letting someone be free in their decisions without the threat of embarrassment is truly a gift.
Honor yourself by gifting honor to others. You will be glad you did when you see the result and the gift. I’m not saying to take dishonor from anyone. I’m saying don’t be the one who talks about others in a way that hurts them more than they might already be hurting. Have compassion as Jesus had displayed to all of us.
Loving you from here,
Jenine Marie
Life Lessons by Jenine Marie 