Before becoming a single mother, I grew up in a single-mother household. I appreciate everything my mother has done for me, especially when I discovered I was pregnant. I was happy yet kind of scared at the same time about having my baby. I still lived with my mom at the time. At first, she was upset, but she later supported my decision.
When it was time to deliver my baby, it was the first time I put my life in God’s hands. The doctors connected me to a machine to monitor my heart. My blood pressure skyrocketed and caused me to faint several times. I thought I would die. But God kept me. I was his labor of love.
After that experience, I decided to walk my journey through motherhood with Him by my side. And it was a rocky road. My relationship with my daughter’s dad was pretty toxic. I spiraled into a deep depression. I wanted to drop out of school and give up on life altogether. I wanted to end it all!
I had to put faith in God. I had to pray my way out of depression, anger, and all hurt. I had to push past the pain and go to therapy. I found the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship. But part of me wanted to stay. I didn’t want to be a single mother.
As mothers, we can’t always do what we want. We must do what is best for our children. So I filed a report, alerting authorities that I was not safe living with my daughter’s dad. I became a dependent of the state. It was not the best situation, but it was better. I moved into a foster home. In my foster mom’s house, there was a close, loving family.
I had to adjust to new things, like getting to school on the other side of town on time with my baby. It wasn’t easy at first; it was a bit much, but I had to build the drive to continue my education and graduate.
This parenting journey has been a gratitude walk. Along the way, God broke me, but only to rebuild me. He has molded me into a more grateful, resilient woman.
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