Life is Precious!

I didn’t have the easiest time transitioning into motherhood, which surprised me, considering the fact that having a baby was my dream come true. But the reality of what it’s like to be a mom 24 hours a day was a shock. I didn’t realize I’d spend quite so many hours pacing the floor with a screaming child in my arms. Or that breastfeeding wouldn’t come naturally. Or that I’d feel isolated and lonely during those long, early days at home, just the baby and me.

By the time Sky was six months old, we’d both adjusted to life together and our days were actually fun. But I remember wondering how other women dealt with the pressure of new motherhood, especially teen moms, single moms, and moms struggling financially or stuck in dysfunctional relationships.

Around that time I felt like God was leading me to find somewhere to serve in our community and I wondered if there was a way to help new moms in difficult circumstances. A week later I heard about a program called Helping Hands, run out of our local Pregnancy Center. It’s a 12-week parenting course for first-time expecting moms and dads. Clients attend classes and learn baby basics like how to calm a crying infant, how to discipline a toddler, and how to manage family finances. Clients also earn “baby bucks” by coming to class and doing homework, which they can spend on things like diapers, wipes, and clothes in the Baby Boutique at the Center. Clients also participate in a 30 minute small group session each week, and because the Center runs on donations and receives no government funding, staff and volunteers can talk freely about God and share the Gospel anytime.

I knew right away I wanted to be involved. Since the classes meet on Thursday nights, I could leave baby Sky at home with Adam while I volunteered. But that first night as I drove to the Center for my training, I almost turned around and went home. I was a brand new parent myself. What could I possibly have to offer anyone else?

Three years have now passed and I’m so thankful I made it to the Center that first night. My heart is connected to the girls there. It goes out to them when they have a hard birth experience or trouble with their baby’s father. It’s excited for them when they come back to visit down the road, happy to show off their little one in a new outfit and talk about all he’s learning.

I still feel like a beginner when it comes to being a mom. But maybe that’s why I’m attached to my girls at the Center—we have a lot in common.

This Saturday the Pregnancy Center is hosting our annual Walk for Life, one of two major fundraisers we do each year. I’m so thankful to those of you who’ve already donated and prayed for this ministry. If you haven’t yet given and you’d like to, you can visit my fundraising page to give online or email me for details about mailing a check.

The Women’s Pregnancy Center is a blessing to our community and a blessing to me. I love being a small part of what God is doing there.