Mary Archives - Tonda Solomon

Mary DID You Know?

Tonda Solomon — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:18:24 +0000

Mary. She has always intrigued me for some reason. I think of her as a young girl to whom Gabriel appeared, disconcerted, but not cowering. I see her riding a donkey, her belly bulging, but her body also aching, with all the inevitable changes of pregnancy and impending birth. Resilient. Determined. Confident and calm. I take issue with the words ascribed her in a negative light. Meek, yes, but not afraid. Always crying it seems. Though she was mild I cannot fathom her caving to fear. She walked upright in her faith in Holy God. The world saw sorrow, but within her was a fierce courage born of faith and love. She did not collapse; she endured.

So why do they depict her always at the cross with folks holding her up and helping her along? God knew who He was choosing when He made her the mother of our Savior. So I wrote this as I processed this week and wanted to share it with you.

I am struggling with every ounce of my being. I see you there in agony, suffering – my innocent child.

How can people be so cruel? Haven’t they realized you’re not some random guy who appeared on the scene to stir trouble? You’ve done nothing but great things for them. Even now I only see the purest love for them through the pain. You feel sorry for them, while I wish the ground would swallow them whole!

Many of them know me. They know our family – your brothers and sisters. Yet they’re joining in the cry of the masses, demanding you save yourself – prove to them you’re who I believe they know you are.

I remember waiting for that first sign of life what seems like an eternity ago in Bethlehem. I was so young. You were born and we watched expectantly, only for an instant, for that first gasp and piercing cry. Now I hold my breath with you, struggling with each ragged draw of oxygen you take. Why is death taking so long?

Is it wrong to wish it along? I want you released from this torture, but I know as surely as I knew you had to face the cross that there’s much more once your body has grown cold. This is about so much more than a pretend trial with false accusations and fabricated witnesses. Than brutal beatings and a sickening crucifixion.

As you draw your last, the fight will only just begin. Many may identify with physical pain, with the blood dripping from your side. But none of us can fathom descending into purgatory. It will not be a struggle for you. You’ll simply take the keys to Satan’s so-called kingdom and you’ll be back. No one else understands it, and I can’t say I understand, but I believe. You’ll be back. But because of what You’ve done those of us who hold you dear won’t ever even glimpse into hell. Ever. Because you are there on the cross.

For thirty-three years I’ve had Gabriel’s words echoing in my head, “Greetings, favored woman!” Favored. The years have flown and I have felt such pride and joy, time and time again. At that beautiful wedding in Canna. When you fed us all with that sweet young man’s lunch. Every time someone said, “You must be so proud,” I admit, I was!

But this. This does not feel like favor. I am selfish and I want it all to end. I want you to do the Father’s work, but should I have to watch my son, my boy, be sacrificed for them? I don’t recognize myself. I am not an angry person. I’ve learned to wait patiently for you and have faith in the process.

That’s it, isn’t’ it? This is part of the process. There cannot be reconciliation without this exorbitant offering of the perfect Lamb of God.

I will miss You, you know. Oh I know You’ll always be the quiet voice inside reminding me not to be fearful. I sense it even now. Even as you say, “It is finished,” I know the worst is behind You. Again, I don’t understand it all, especially the timing, but I will continue to have faith in the process. And even as I raise my eyes to look at You there, I know You are gone. My brave, kind, fearless boy. You will always be my baby, even as I know You will forever belong to everyone who claims You as Savior and LORD.

Highly favored. Father, it has been my delightful surprise, every single morning, to wake knowing this beautiful man called me Mother. It’s honestly too much. Let me be strong now for Him. Let me lead by example even as I hear the murmurings from the others, plotting and planning how to proceed because “You’re gone.” I will be quiet and know that You are God. You are His Father. And Your love designed this plan in the first place. You’ve never been unfaithful to me and You’re not about to begin. Thanks be to God for this most excellent gift. I know You can’t wait to say, “Welcome home, Son. Welcome home.”

The post Mary DID You Know? appeared first on Tonda Solomon.

An Ode to Mary

Tonda Solomon — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 17:19:55 +0000

Mary, I see you. Humble, meek, and mild. That’s what we’ve written about you over the centuries. If you weren’t humble, I’d imagine you’d be fiery mad at all the things we’ve said. The way we’ve dressed you and positioned you in our Nativity scenes. The way we’ve categorized and marginalized you. Humble, meek, and mild.

You were humble, but not in a simpering, cowering way. Perhaps “deferential” is a better word.

You had a quiet respect for the God your family worshipped, but who had been seemingly still for over 400 years. You had an expectation that He promised a Deliverer. You were so inclined to Him that when He stirred within you it scared you to death, but you trusted His heart.

It must have been excruciatingly difficult to receive news that you were to become pregnant, but not with your husband’s baby. Not even with your fiance’s child. In a culture that stones women to death for pre-marital or extra-marital relations, you took the news like a champ. Luke described you as “confused” and “disturbed” when Gabriel first appeared. That was likely an understatement!

You defended yourself. “How can this happen? I may be young, but I’m not naive. I’m a virgin. Yessir, I am! 100%! Without a doubt.”

But after a little clarification from Gabriel, you said, “I am the LORD’s servant. Let everything you say be true.” All you needed was more detail. You sound like my kind of girl.

I can’t imagine you were meek. Webster’s Dictionary defines that as “spiritless, tame.” I’m sorry, but I think that relegates you to something akin to an incubator. And as a mother of four strong-willed sons, I know it takes a thick skin and healthy resilience to get that assignment. You had a house full of boys, too.

No. I like to think you were pragmatic. You could be sweet, but you also knew to stand up for yourself.

Were you petite? Those girls always seem to get the part of Mary in the church play. But I imagine you were a bigger girl, somewhat rugged. You did journey quite a distance, likely by foot, while advanced in your pregnancy.

Maybe your hair wasn’t luxurious and flowing. Maybe your skin was acne-prone or you had a gap between your front teeth. What if you never liked your nose? I wonder…

I wonder because people call me sweet. And that’s okay because I know the Spirit of the Most High overshadows me. If he didn’t, I’d be the meanest girl on the planet. I’d be angry and bitter. I’d be resentful and judgmental. The Taming of the Shrew would be the name of my biography!

Simultaneously, I’d be depressed and sullen. I’d be withdrawn and rude. And whiny? I’d be the queen!
So let me just reiterate, I see you.

You should know, when I’ve been asked to be God’s girl in some brutal scenarios I’ve been as mindful of His presence as you were—because you did it first. What an amazing example you set for us all. Not showing us how to hear the call of God and yield in cowering helplessness, but to rise to the occasion. Full of knowing. Full of faith that whatever work He begins isn’t about us, but His glory and the hope of all mankind.

Yes, that’s who I see when I see you, Mary. You were God’s girl and I want to be God’s girl. Every single time.
Thank you for being open and tender to something that made no sense. That had no precedent in generations before you. That came from a God who seemed distant and removed but was very much working out His plan. I cannot fathom how strong you were, but I know if you and I could chat, you’d tell me to never give up on trusting His way of doing things.

You showed me that the months of waiting for that plan to be delivered may be long. I may have to go to places that are foreign and uncomfortable. I may journey with someone who seems like a stranger. And after all the pain and suffering, the plan might be delivered in the least likely way, in the least likely place.

But, if I am committed to our Father, if I seek His strength through the stress, many lives can be changed. Wow! What a beautiful plan. My, what a God!

May 2021 find us aware that nothing we have is necessary or eternal apart from a relationship with our Creator, who became flesh and inhabits our flesh, giving us provision for anything. Anything.

Never forget that 2020 was the year He gave us to come alive to this revelation: It’s all about Him and He invites us to trust His heart in all things. He gives us joy for it all. And He’s crazy in love with us.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Be kind. Love well.
~ Tonda

The post An Ode to Mary appeared first on Tonda Solomon.