Story

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

 

I went to a MOPS leadership visioning meeting last night for my MOPS group and some of what they talked about was helping to give voice to the many stories that each of  the moms have.. – as moms and as women of God.  I love this….  I love hearing people’s stories…  their stories of struggle and stories of triumph..  stories of family and children and most of all; stories of how they see God working in their lives. 

For the last year (nearly…), I have been leading a bible study for a group of young ladies who also happen to be young moms.  And for many of them, they have had difficult stories…  stories of abuse and addictions.  Stories that include leaving their country and family for new land, new language, new people.   Stories of trying to fit into a new culture, of struggling through school, of dropping out of school….  of getting pregnant at 15, 16, 17 years old.  And as we meet, I have encouraged these YoungMoms to share their story..  it’s their story to share…  these things that have happened – good or bad have helped to shape them into who they are today.  And they have shared them, with me, with each other. 

But, their stories don’t end there…  and what we, as volunteers with YoungMoms desire to share with these girls – is that the God who created them and loves them, also wants to help write their story.  And that this same God wants to give them HOPE of a future filled with the assurance that they are not alone, that they  have a purpose, and that they are loved, incredibly, by the King of Kings who offers them a redeeming story. 

How can we not recognize redemption in the lives of these young moms as we look into the faces of their beautiful children?  Much the same way that God recognizes redemption in our life as He looks into the beautiful faces of each one of His children!

Last Friday, I went and cheered on 5 of our young moms as they received certificates for having completed a 6 week course for a Clinical Nurse Assistant.  They worked so hard!  They spent long days in class.  Long nights studying, a week in a residence home putting into practice what they learned..  they have exams to take and now interviews to participate in.  But look at their smiling faces as they look to a future filled with hope. 

These girls all dropped out of high school; some in 8th grade, 9th grade…  they are raising sons and daughters..  they had to get their GED prior to this program.

They have new stories to tell, stories of hope, of a future, of a God who walks beside them through life.

So proud of these girls, of the work they have done, of their commitment to being great moms, of their perseverance,  for doing what seems impossible. 

And I’m excited for the new story that God has for each of them! 

I love God Stories!