The sting of the heart when hearing the announcement of a pregnancy is one that so many women know all too well. I have felt that sting and still do sometimes.

I was reading the first chapter of Luke when Gabriel told Zechariah that he and his wife, Elizabeth, will have a son named John. This son will do great things by leading others to God. Elizabeth’s biological clock has long been ticked, but God had a plan. Then Gabriel goes to Mary and tells her that she will give birth to the Son of God. She responds with (and I’m paraphrasing here), “Why me?”

I have often asked God “Why NOT me?” What have done or not done to be able to have a child? And why do so many unfit mothers get to have them? I deserve it more than they do, right?

But then Mary says in Luke 1:38, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word.”

This took more trust in God than many of us may realize. A woman to be pregnant out of wedlock in Mary’s culture could come with serious penalties, including death. So when Mary asked, “Why me?”, it would seem reasonable to interpret that question as, “Why would God do this to me? I led a honorable life and now He has put me in a situation that could put me in serious danger. What have I done to deserve this?” But that wasn’t her attitude toward this news. She was in awe that God had chosen her to give birth to His son.

It’s far from coincidence that Elizabeth and Mary were not only relatives, but both also had miraculous pregnancies at the same time. Because of this, Elizabeth and Zechariah, became a safe haven for Mary to hide away from the Karens and the Kevins of their world.

I also don’t think it was a coincidence that Gabriel was sent to Zechariah instead of Elizabeth. Could it be that God already knew Zechariah wouldn’t believe Gabriel? Could it be that God chose muteness as Zechariah’s punishment for a reason. Maybe he had a big mouth and would’ve let it slip while chatting with his fellow priests around the water cooler that an unwed, pregnant woman was living with him and his wife? Scandalous!

If Mary can trust God with her life, then I can trust God with my infertility. Elizabeth’s pregnancy provided a safe home for Mary, and my infertility provided a safe home for other children. He truly is The Grand Weaver who can turn any situation into a blessing.