It was a cold and stormy night, the kind of night that echoed the tension in the air. After 14 hours of labor, I gave birth to my first son. A moment etched deeply in the pages of my soul. The pain was intense, but my spirit knew something powerful was being birthed. This was not just the birth of a child; it was the emergence of a destiny, the rising of a leader. Even before he was born, at just five months into my pregnancy, I had dedicated him to the Lord. I knew in my heart that God had placed something special within my womb.
From the moment he arrived, he defied expectations. At two months old, he grew his first set of teeth. By three months, he was sitting unassisted. At five months, he was crawling across the room with determination. By seven months, he was pulling himself up and standing, and at eight months, he was walking confidently, a radiant beam of joy and wisdom wrapped in a tiny body.
He was sharp, curious, and full of life. I often found myself staring in awe, wondering how so much brilliance could be packed into such a small frame. I had no doubt: this boy was called to do great things. His laughter lit up every corner of our home, and his presence filled my heart with hope.
But just as the light began to shine, the shadows crept in. When he was just one year and two months old, his father walked out of our lives. I was left alone — a single mother carrying a 16-week pregnancy and a toddler still learning to understand the world. My world came crashing down like a house of cards. I was devastated, unsure of how I would cope. Depression wrapped itself around me like a dark cloak, and for a time, I didn’t know how to fight it.
But I did. For my son. For the leader I was raising.
Reflection
Every birth is a miracle, but some children carry the unmistakable weight of purpose. Even in the pain of abandonment and loneliness, God’s promises remain true.
Scripture References
Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV): “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV): “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of my son. Thank You for preserving us in moments of despair and reminding me of the covenant we made. Strengthen every parent facing abandonment and loneliness. Wrap them in Your love and remind them of the destiny in their hands. Amen.
Call to Action
Reflect on a moment when you saw potential in your child. Write it down. Revisit it in seasons of doubt to remind yourself of the promise. Then pray about such potentials.