RACHELS DAUGHTERS

Rachel picked her way down the steep path. Small rocks caught in her sandals and she held tightly to the shepherd?s crook. The afternoon sun turned her hair damp and perspiration pooled in the hollow of her throat. Summer stalked the hills of Judea while spring still echoed in the song of a meadowlark. A sharp pain struck her ribcage and she caught her breath. Be careful where you kick, little one! Her free hand rubbed the hard little mound where thebaby wasmakingitspresence felt and she smiled in spite of her weariness. Unaccustomed to walking the mile to town alone, she wondered briefly at her boldness. ?Tell Jacob not to worry, Rahab, and thank David for telling you about Mother.? Filling a small waterskin, she?d grabbed the crook she used when walking and headed for Bethlehem, finding courage in fear for her mother.