My son graduates from high school in a few days. There are so many thoughts running through my mind. This is the very first step into adulthood. Baby bird has to leave the nest. He is so adamant about not being babied right now. I’m 18 are his favorite words to tell me.
I decided as a teenager not to have children. Obviously that life plan didn’t work out. I believed that I would somehow destroy any child that would be placed under my care. That they would be like me. A troubled mess with low self-esteem always searching for love. That life journey not only wears out the soles of the shoes walking it, but also whittles away at the very essence of the person. The soul.
I got pregnant when I was 21. I had to drop out of college and I had two moms shouting opposing things in opposite ears. I could meet neither demand at the time. I was in a nine month rage. I could not marry the father and I could not dispose of the child to save myself. Thankfully during this time I was surrounded by a few praying friends who were willing to take this u-turn with me.
Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times
Those friends threw me a baby shower and we focused on gifts that little souls needed to survive. He had a bible, piggy bank with a scripture and so on. We were pretty clueless about everything babies need, lol. My mom marched me right to the mall afterwards with rotating questions and statements that can basically be summed up as what was everyone thinking. This memory always makes me laugh. We were thinking that I would not break a fragile person and my friends would help me not to do this. My mom went through the delivery with me and I named him Christian as a reminder that he belonged to God.
Single parenting is hard work! The second son came four years later and two friends were at my side during the delivery. They gave me ice chips, held my hand and whatever else was needed for many hours.
I have found so much joy in these two boys. I’m glad God saw an ability in me I didn’t see in myself. I am beyond grateful that he placed friends in my life as a support system as an answer to my prayer. I used to walk the floor at night praying to be a good mom.
They watched my kids so I could finish college. It took eight years, but I finished. When my finances fell short they provided for my kids from their own resources. They disciplined them with love. They walked with me in love. I’ll remember as these next days pass by that the village was their to help me raise my children and I didn’t fail. God’s provision of friendship enabled me to succeed.
The Unconventional Life 
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