Elizabeth - What was she thinking?

On the radio the other day, the announcer mentioned Elizabeth was almost forgotten today in our talk of the Christmas story. The point that was being made was that Elizabeth played a big role by confirming that Mary was indeed carrying Jesus.

But all of a sudden, a thought hit me. I wondered what Elizabeth thought and felt. Did she ever feel jealous of Mary being chosen? I wonder if she struggled with thoughts of why God would not have chosen her. After all, her pregnancy with John was miraculous, so why couldn't he have chosen her.

I know, I know, you are thinking, "Because of the whole virgin birth thing!" and "It was prophesied for 100s of years to happen at that appointed time."

But do you ever have unreasonable jealousies about why God does miraculous things for others and not for you or have you felt the envy of others toward blessings that you have been bestowed, but others feel that they have been deprived? I know I have!

Elizabeth didn't know that her part in the Christmas story would be retold throughout 100s of years and countless generations. And her son definitely was not treated with accolades and comfort in his life. I know that I can get pretty upset when I feel my kids are being treated unfairly or have the potential to be harmed. We don't hear anything about how Elizabeth and John related or even how long Zechariah and Elizabeth lived after he was born. Did she ever wonder why God made things so rough for him? Did she ever wish for him to have an easier life - get married and have a couple kids.

She was obviously a very dedicated, holy woman, but she was still human. I wonder what it was like for her to be the mother of John and aunt to the mother of Jesus. What a responsibility!