When I was pregnant with my little girl I had no idea what generosity meant. I thought being generous was giving money to the homeless or donating your old clothes to Goodwill. However when I found myself alone and pregnant I got the full impact of what generosity was about.
When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter I did not know what to do. I was scared to tell my family, terrified of not being a good mother, and I did not know how I was going to work to support my child and watch my child too. All these fearful thoughts swirled around my mind. Suddenly my world was turned upside down and I was no longer in control. Though at this present time I realize I never was in control, but the Lord was and He knew this was going to happen before it did and He continued to love me through it. He showed me His love in so many amazing ways throughout my pregnancy because of His marvelous grace. I am so thankful His love is not based on what we do but on what Jesus did on the cross for us.
At the time I was saved but I was not living a very good lifestyle. I had drifted away from theLord and the life I grew up in. I moved to the big city in search of a job and was taken in by the glitz and glamour around me. After I found out I was pregnant however the glitz and glamour meant nothing to me and more practical matters took over. I had never felt so lost in my entire life. Since I lived with my brother and his roommate I knew I could not hide my pregnancy from him even if I had wanted to. So I decided to tell them all. I called my mom first. She lived several states away. I did not know how to tell her but after some false starts she guessed what I was trying to say. I knew she would always love and support me but I did expect her to be crying and disappointed. But I was wrong about her. Sometimes what you think you know about your parents is oh so wrong. My mom is an amazing godly woman whose life has not been a bed of roses but her faith in God has been unfailing. The words that came out of her mouth were so healing and gave me the strength to carry on.
“If you are pregnant don’t worry. I love you and I will help you.”
I was so thankful to have a loving mother that did not get angry at me but I was afraid my father would not be as understanding. Dad had left mom and us kids, started a new life, and pretty much let us know we were on our own. When I told my older brother he was definitely not understanding and informed me that a baby would ‘ruin my body’ and that I should have an abortion. He told me that no one would want me with a child and that I was stupid if I did not get rid of the baby. The thought of not having my child horrified me and I got very angry with him and very hurt because of his attitude. My younger brother on the other hand was very supportive and gave me a big hug and told me all was going to be fine. I finally buckled down and called my father to tell him. Much to my surprise my hard-nosed and intolerant Dad was proud of me for deciding to keep the baby. He actually said he was proud of me! And believe it or not that was the first time he had ever said those words. I had been trying to make him proud of me my entire life and this was what made him proud? I was completely dumbfounded and utterly amazed at the grace of God. I knew it was my Lord’s protection and love that solicited this response in my dad.
I was so thankful for the generosity of my parents, especially when my baby’s father rejected having anything to do with the child, also wanting me to get an abortion. He did however help me to pay some of the medical bills when I told him I was going to have my baby. I could have gotten child support but in the state of mind I was in I was terrified that he would want to take my child because he had the means to care for a child. In the back of my mind I was frightened that if he had to pay child support, even though he did not want the child, he would try and take the baby out of spite. After my girl was born I asked for nothing and cut all ties.
I decided then and there that I would rely on the grace of God and the generosity of my parents to take care of my child. I did not move back home because there were no jobs to be had, but my mother came and together we moved into a small rental home. Even my dad helped out financially at times which helped a lot with no child support in the picture. My dear mother helped me so much during this difficult time. Although she had been a homemaker all her life she got a job the last few months of my pregnancy when I couldn’t find anyone who would hire a pregnant temp. I had gotten laid off from my last job and then found out I was pregnant. I lost my health insurance and I knew that no one would want to hire me pregnant so I started working temporary work. I was a skilled typist and got work almost every day and sometimes a month at a time until the latter part of my pregnancy. I was huge and I think it was a deterrent for being hired by most employers. Mom stayed working to let me be with my child those vital first few months of life until she got let go and I had to go back to work after about four months with my sweet baby.
What a wonderful generous thing it was for my momma to do for me in letting me have that precious time with my sweet baby girl. And on top of everything else my grandmother came to stay with us and helped me while my mom was working. She fell desperately in love with my girl and when she would hear her cry, even at age seventy, she jumped up and was by my side making sure all was well. It was not only a precious time with my girl but also a precious memory of my grandma that I will have in my heart forever. She was even trying to come up with ideas and ways for me to work at home so that I would not have to leave my baby. We were just getting by but with the money mom made, and grams money and a whole lot of love we did.
My brother who was against me came around too after my daughter was born. She is such a blessing that no one could resist her charms. One scripture comes to mind every time I think of my girl, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” James 1:17 (NAS) I knew that my precious heavenly Father had given me this wonderful blessing even though I had not been living for His glory. He was working it all out for my good just like the word of God says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NAS) He is the God of grace, compassion, and unconditional love and mercy and He blessed us by giving us His only Son. Which brings to mind another wonderful scripture, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32
Author Bio: Paul and his wife Julie both spend quite a bit of time coming up with ideas, blogging, and researching all things related to childcare. They take care of all the necessary information related to “www.babysittingjobs.com”. He personally think his blog will help finding information on all things related to a babysitter.