Desert Life and Wonders

When Mary reached the desert with just three loaves of bread, she didn’t know the real fight was ahead. For 17 years—matching her wild time in Alexandria—Satan tempted her with memories of the pleasures of her old life. She’d fall to the ground, crying and praying for help, sometimes to the Virgin Mary, to resist those thoughts. Some days, she prayed with all her strength, asking God to free her from bad memories. Her bread ran out quickly, so she ate desert weeds—tough and bitter—but she kept going, stronger than the fiercest storms.

Those battles were hard, and we don’t hide that in the Coptic Church. Mary’s hair faded from the sun, her clothes fell apart, and her skin burned, but she never gave up. We can imagine her praying Christ’s name over and over until the temptations faded, like shooing away a bothersome bug. In Ethiopia, they sing that her tears brought hope to the desert. She fought hard for 17 years, then found peace for 30 more—proof God was with her every step. Kids love this because it shows even big messes can turn into great blessings with faith.