Let It Be

Paul McCartney wrote the song "Let It Be," first released in March, 1970, following a dream about his mother who died when he was fourteen. Paul was close to his mother explained that in the dream his mother told him, "It will be all right, just let it be."

Although Paul contends that the song has no biblical connection, I find the words comforting when I relate Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the words Paul uses to describe his mother. Never having a nurturing mother, I connect deeply with Mary, Jesus' mother. I've even presented a few programs on Mary, including "A Protestant Befriends Mary."

When I imagine Mary, I think about the tasks she did every day, such as tending sheep, watching a friend's children, baking bread, sewing and praying. Although I don't tend sheep, I do sew, bake bread, care for a few friend's children and spend time with God.

Recently I was having a day when an experience with a group of people stretched my ability to stay present and mindful. I struggled to relate to the conversation that evening, though I was able to celebrate and offer encouragement while I was there.

Driving home I recalled my decades-long association with this group, remembering all of the events we shared together.

That night I went to bed, but awoke at 3 am and couldn't sleep. I felt energy coming from words, so I wrote about my experience the night before. Throughout the next day, challenging emotions surfaced as well as the lyrics of Paul's song:

          When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
          Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
          And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
          Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
          Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be,
          Whisper words of wisdom,
          Let it be.

Once again I wrote from a different perspective about my evening, going much deeper than previously, reaching the core of painful emotions. When I finished writing, I paused, turned the page of my notebook and drew an image that came from God, reminding me of the rainbow God sent after storm destroying all living things on earth.

God sent the image below to bring comfort and remind me I am not alone. The image is Mary, the mother of Jesus, holding a loaf of bread over the manger:

The first two stanzas of Paul McCartney's song became real to me once again, reminding me how well God knows my heart.

Prayer: God, you know the numbers of hairs on our head, which reflects the ways you care for us and consider our needs. You use song, image and words to come to us, to remind us of your presence and to reveal how individual your caring ways are. We are so grateful. Amen.