In The Middle

I’ve been praying about my next blog entry for a while and the reoccurring theme that seems to pop up is “being caught in the middle.” Even though my parents didn’t divorce until I was about 19, I already knew it was inevitable at age 10. Not only had I been witnessing the tension between them since age 4, my mom would complain about my dad to me. And my dad would complain about my mom to me. I was 10 years old and didn’t want to see my parents in this light. I wanted them to stay perfect and strong, but there I was. And I couldn’t just forget it all.

I began to see their weakness and the burden on my heart grew heavy:

Who could I turn to?

Who could I trust?

Who could I talk to about all this?

Who would listen?

Who would understand? (more…)

Why Are You Crying?

Broken-hearted, grieving Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’ tomb the first Easter morning to properly prepare His body for burial. Her Lord and Savior was brutally murdered and His body was treated disrespectfully even after death so Mary journeyed to His tomb to anoint His body with oils and properly prepare Jesus’ body for the grave. Nothing could have prepared Mary for what she was about to witness.

Imagine a person you love more than life has died. When you arrive at the mortuary to view the body, the body is gone. Vanished without a trace or explanation. How would you feel? What would you do? We’d do exactly as Mary did. We’d run as fast as we could to tell everyone who loved this person. They would come to the mortuary as fast as they could to see for themselves. The consensus would be…the body has been stolen.

Friends and family would be confused, amazed and even angry. This is what happened to Mary but Mary didn’t leave the tomb. She remained outside crying.  Another glance inside the tomb revealed two angels seated where Jesus’ body had been.

“They asked her, Woman, why are you crying?” John 20:13 NIV (more…)

Teen Mom

 

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” 1 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

I am going to take the month of February to focus on teen pregnancy, the causes, and the many different things that come with it both spiritual and worldly.

Being a teen mom poses problems, sure, but it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve done with my life thus far. My daughter has changed my life completely. Through the whole pregnancy I came closer and closer to the Most High, and began to look at my future with new eyes. When she was born and I held her it was like all the hardness in my heart from past decisions melted away. An unmovable love formed and a strong need and desire to lead her to the Most High completely engulfed me.

I think this is one of the reasons scripture tells us a woman will be saved in childbearing. We know according to scripture our soul is always crying out to the Most High and seeking him whether we’re in the flesh or not, so while our soul is reaching and trembling for him while at the same time the conceiving of a child and the miracle of a child is moving our hearts, something very divine happens I cannot explain in words.  I believe this is a huge reason we should keep virginity a scared treasure set up in heaven until marriage.

If only this would have happened while I was married and financially stable. None the less the Most High chose my daughter specifically for me even in my sin, so I am honored and very grateful. I have repented deeply for my fornication outside of marriage and plan to put action to repentance by glorifying the Most High through my daughter, and if the Most High is willing, she will stay on the narrow path of righteousness.

Some young woman may have abortion as a thought running circles through their heads. I plead with you not to do it! If you are frightened of family reactions or feel you cannot raise your child I have points for both worries:

1. I was scared to tell my parents so I waited two months. When it all came out, they were disappointed but still willing to reach out to me and treated it like the miracle it was. Some families may not treat it like mine did so what I have to say to that is; who cares? You are not here to work according to your family’s will, you are here to work the Most High’s will.

2. If you are not financially stable or you feel you’re completely unable mentally to raise a baby                   then adoption is always an option. There are many, many couples who cannot conceive but still want to add a member to their family.

For those of you who don’t have help from family, there are always people out there who will help you so just pray and do your research and the Most High will lead you. He blessed your womb with a child, now he will guide you through life with that child.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves breakthrough and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” St. Matthew 6:19-21(KJV)

Alexus

 

 

Even the President of the United States Had Divorced Parents

Photography Courtesy of Eddie Arrossi Photography

Last week I attended the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. and saw Barack Obama at the public swearing-in ceremony as he became President of the United States for a second term.

During the hours leading up to the event, as the crowds grew, I regretted my choice of drinking only decaf coffee because caffeine would have helped me adjust to the early morning which began by waking up at 4:00 a.m. I also scolded myself for forgetting a pair of gloves as the chilly, winter weather set in. None of this mattered once we arrived at the National Mall because there I was standing in a sea of people, shoulder-to-shoulder with complete strangers, taking in the surreality of the moment and all I could do was smile. We were all different ethnicities, races, ages, religions, and came from different walks of life, but we had one thing in common: we were celebrating our country. Despite our political preference; Republican, Democrat, or Independent, we’re all Americans who want to see our country prosper and thrive. This is what truly matters.

Four years ago in 2009, I remember watching President Obama as he took the Oath of Office. I was sitting in Mr. Pawling’s homeroom class as a sixth grader in middle school. One Presidential term later and there I was last Monday, witnessing the historical event in person, on the National Mall.

While I was in Washington D.C. I had the privilege of attending a conference for high school students, through the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. I was ecstatic to be nominated and selected for the program. During the 5-day/4-night conference, I interacted with political figures like Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, and General Wesley Clark, 2004 Democratic Party Presidential nominee; both notable leaders were keynote speakers. Also in attendance at the conference, were renowned journalists Nick Clooney and Bob Woodward, who participated in a panel discussion.

While in our nations’ capitol, I was constantly reminded that Barack Obama is very similar to us girls on SC4G. Obama’s parents were divorced and his grandparents raised him for a large portion of his childhood. He grew up in a non-traditional home and now today he is President of the United States. He proved to be successful, regardless of a difficult past. Personally being raised by a single mother, I know growing up in a divorced home can be hard; God gives me strength to achieve great things though. Remember to never let your parent’s divorce define who you are. You can achieve your dreams; President Barack Obama did!

“…for I know where I came from and where I am going.” John 8:14a (NIV)

Katelyn

I Just Want To Fit In

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” Psalm 119:1-2 KJV

The pressure on those of us in the younger generation of women is tougher than ever with the downward spiral of good morals America is taking and the indifference toward the Most High. It’s true, eleven is the new eighteen; sex, drugs, parties, and cigarettes. If you choose not to participate in these things you can feel your peers’ eyes on your back, and it stings. You feel the judgment and you hear the snickers and the whispers. Names like Bible thumper, prude, goodie to-shoes, buzz kill, etc., are said by those who don’t even know you. All of this is pressing on your mind along with the dangerous thought of all I want to do is fit in. This can make it easy to walk away from Christ and take a walk on the broad path to destruction. (more…)