Before I was a wife or mother or even a woman, I was a little girl. As a child, I didn’t grow up with a lot of money or anything, but I pretty much had everything I needed. My family was very active in a local church, and I have vivid memories of growing up as a “pew baby.” But in a culture where growing up fast impressed upon my younger years, I found myself succumbing to just that–having to grow up sooner than planned by most standards. I became a teen mom at the age of 17.

It was a product of many factors–some factors contributing more than others. But one thing rings true as stated above: The society I lived in as a girl influenced a hunger that could only be satisfied if I wore certain clothes, watched certain shows, listened to certain music, maintained a certain type of social life, and talked to a lot of guys. Without the proper channels or environments where I felt confident enough to bring up such matters, I fell prey to the influences. And the sad part about it was I liked it. And then it became real–real fast.

Becoming a young, teen mother was undeniably the most life-altering event that’s happened to me. Everything about who I thought I was and what I did as a young girl seemed to have changed in a matter of moments. All of a sudden, I was in charge of this little human being and I wasn’t even that big of a human being myself. Everything I knew about my world had to change in some way, shape, or form if I was going to be a good mother to this beautiful little girl.

As I look back, it was only by the grace of God that I was able to make it through what could have been another statistic. My family was such a huge support system along with my church family who was there from the beginning. I found resilience in God’s mercy. The fact that He doesn’t stop loving me after I’d made such a ‘mistake’ by the world’s standards. He was still, Daddy God and He still had a great destiny planned for me. Little by little, I was beginning to see how He was working “all things together for [my] good.”

I was a single mother for 6.5 years and I didn’t wear that badge lightly. I took and still take motherhood seriously. When working 2 jobs at one point, attending college full-time and serving in ministry was our reality, I learned to look ahead–far ahead. I felt the “mommy-guilt” when I had to leave my daughter with my mom for school-related events; class studies; professional meetings; a night out here or there when I realized that I still deserved a slither of a social life; trips out of town when I knew I was investing in our future. But when I graduated high school; moved on to college; graduated with my BA in 4 years; landed my first teaching job; was able to provide a home, private school education, dance lessons, and summers off for my baby girl, everything was worth it. Everything was for us. And everything still is for us.

I am elated to be in our 2-parent household now where my husband and I can raise our precious girl and future children in a godly home. But I’m even more grateful for the testimony I have because I can share with my little girl–who will someday become a young lady and then woman–the truths that a young woman deserves to hear at home, first. I get to influence her sense of self and show her that she can find herself in Christ every time with no help from societal pressure. Motherhood is by far one of the hardest jobs, but it’s the most rewarding! Here are some scriptures I use to help guide my walk through this beautiful journey. I pray that you begin to confess declarations of God’s promises and blessings over your family to see the richness of His glory in your life!

John 16:13

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

Proverbs 22:6

Proverbs 4:5-8

Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. 8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.

Psalm 91 (pray this entire chapter over your children and family)