“He never sleeps; He’ll never let your down.” ~ Psalm
121:3
A
typical day for a high school girl consists of going to class, hanging out with
friends, maybe catching an episode of Jersey Shore and meeting up later with
your boyfriend. But Jodee’s days were
more random – and not in that ‘What-should-I-wear-for-Friday’s
date?’ sort of way.
She’d
imagined graduation, going off to college, getting married and having kids with
the man of her dreams. That was before
she got pregnant . . . and her plans shifted into reverse.
It
was bad enough that she’d given up her teenage life and any hope of finishing
high school with her friends, but raising a child alone scared her the
most. The boy she’d known since middle
school, the one she’d envisioned spending the rest of her life with, the one
who she’d given her body to – left. He dropped
out of the picture three weeks after Madison was born.
She
hated shows that promoted the joy of teen pregnancy, shows like "Teen
Mom", "16 and Pregnant" and even "Glee." They dangerously market pregnancy as “no big
deal!” Babies ARE cute – motherhood is
REAL.
It
has its great moments, but it's difficult not to wonder what might have been if
she’d made different choices. But Jodee
tries not to dwell on being a teen mom.
It’s just the next chapter in her life: one filled with endless diapers,
midnight feedings, and the translation of Madison’s snorts, grunts and wails.
Despite
a supportive and loving family, the odds are against her. Parenthood is the leading reason that teen
girls drop out of school; more than half of teen mothers never graduate from
high school, less than 2 percent earn a college degree by age 30.
But
success requires looking forward; it’s never too late to start over!
Last
month Jodee’s Grandma invited her to a Bible study. It was amazing - just bringing those women
into her life provided a ray of hope. “If
these women could love me . . . then maybe God can too,” she reasoned. And today they were throwing a baby shower in
Madison’s honor. Mom and daughter were
blessed. For now, she’d devote her
energies to raising a child; someday she’d be the mentor that another girl
might lean on.
So
many times we want to ignore past mistakes and just go on with who we are now. But as our faith matures and we grow closer to
God, we come to understand that suffering is as much of a blessing as faith
itself. Hardships mature our spirit, deepening
our personal relationship with Christ.
Child
- I never tire of hearing your petitions.
When you are weak, I become stronger. So rest in My love and cast all of your cares
on Me. Trust Me, I got your back. God
