Day 11 — Celebrate Her

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!… Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.’”

— Luke 1:41–42, 45 (BSB)

Elizabeth was an older woman who had wanted a baby her whole life. For years and years, she had prayed, but no baby came. Then, when she was old, God did a miracle, and Elizabeth was finally going to have a son! (He would grow up to be John the Baptist.)

Around the same time, Elizabeth’s young relative, Mary, found out she was going to have a baby too. And not just any baby. Mary would be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God!

So Mary hurried to visit Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the baby inside Elizabeth jumped for joy! Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she shouted, “Blessed are you among women!”

Think about this for a moment. Elizabeth had waited her whole life for a baby. Finally, it was her big moment. But then her younger cousin showed up with news that was even bigger. Mary’s baby would be more important than Elizabeth’s.

Elizabeth could have felt jealous. She could have thought, Why does she get the most important baby? I waited so much longer!

But she didn’t. Instead, she celebrated Mary. She cheered for her. She blessed her. She was genuinely happy that God was doing something amazing in Mary’s life.

That’s what real friendship between girls can look like. Not competing, but cheering each other on.

It isn’t always easy. When a friend makes the team and you don’t, or gets the part you wanted, or gets complimented on her drawing when you worked hard on yours, it’s natural to feel a twinge of jealousy.

But you get to choose what you do with that feeling. You can let it turn into competition and resentment. Or you can do what Elizabeth did, and celebrate her.

And here’s something wonderful: when you celebrate other girls, it doesn’t take anything away from you. God has enough blessings for everyone.

Think about it: Is there a friend or sister you find it hard to celebrate? Why?

Try this: Find a girl you might normally feel jealous of, and genuinely celebrate something good in her life today. Tell her you’re happy for her.

Dear God, thank You for Elizabeth’s example. Help me celebrate other girls instead of competing with them. When I feel jealous, help me cheer them on instead. Thank You that You have enough blessings for everyone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.