So I walked a little way in that direction but went the rest of the way by car because I didn't have a week to make the journey on foot. (Okay, that's not the ONLY reason I didn't walk the whole 90 miles.)
Historians figure that it only took Mary and Joseph three or four days to walk to Bethlehem. The ancients were tough.
What strikes me remarkable about Mary's journey is this: Although she had a long way to travel, the roughest, rockiest part of her trail was the one that led out of her own hometown.
It's true: It was a very steep, downhill climb from Nazareth to the Jezreel Valley before skirting along the Jordan River then turning toward Bethlehem. Don't kid yourself that going downhill makes it easy. We're talking a steep, check-your-brakes climb down a very rocky slope: a one-slip-and-you're-headed-for-breakage drop—especially with her center of gravity was hanging low and to the front.
Like Mary, a handmaiden of God has to be willing to step out of her comfy old circumstances and follow God to where He is leading. Sometimes He has to force us to leave our snug circumstances by sending something unpleasant. In Mary's case, it was a tax increase that forced her out of Nazareth to Bethlehem. How much more unpleasant can you get?
Much more, it turns out. During His ministry, when Jesus came home to Nazareth for a visit, they nearly stoned Him to death. Mary also must have been a target to her neighbors.
She likely heard Jesus predict His own death, something He frequently did. More grief.
As mothers, we see our children as they presently are. But our hearts’ album preserves snapshots of them as newborns, children, teenagers, babies, toddlers, asleep, taking first steps, too.
As Jesus hung bloody and naked, taking His last breath, I can’t help but wonder what Mary’s saw as she stood at the foot of the cross and watched her Son tortured to death. Did she remember Him as He was on that first Christmas—bloody and naked, taking His first breath?
I've thought a lot about the rocky trail of obedience walked by women of faith who, like Mary, say "yes" to the call of God to serve. While Mary's path to Bethlehem started out steep and the journey was long, she made it one step at a time and was rewarded. So it is for any woman who will say to God what Mary said: "I am the Lord's servant."
One Last Look
The last clear mention of Mary in the scriptures is after Jesus’ ascension. She is praying with the rest of Jesus’ followers, waiting for the Holy Spirit, in the Upper Room (Acts 1:14. There is a possible mention in Romans 16:6.). This is no accident: The hand of the Divine wrote this final word on Mary’s life.
When we first see Mary, she awaits the promised visitation of the Holy Spirit who will plant the seed of Christ in her womb. When we last see her, she awaits the promised visitation of the Holy Spirit who will plant the seed of Christ in her heart.
Her life and words are shining examples to every soul who desires to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit: “ I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 2:38a-NIV) May this be your prayer, too.
© Rebekah Montgomery 2007 (Excerpted from Mystery Women of the Bible, Jubilant Press). Used with permission.
For reprint requests, contact Rebekah at her website, www.Rebekah Montgomery.com. 
Rebekah Montgomery, author/speaker/teacher, is a gifted, dynamic communicator. She is the author of more than five books and has penned 1,100 articles. She shares tough real-life topics and biblical application in a simple easy to grasp manner. To book Rebekah for your next event visit www.rebekahmontgomery.com. Rebekah is also the editor of Right to the Heart of Women and a publisher at Jubilant Press.
