To the son I chose to give life

When I was just a 16-year-old girl, I became pregnant and left school. I married the father of my child and gave birth just after I turned 17. At that time, a close family member suggested that I terminate the pregnancy. For some reason, the thought had never entered my mind. I had no relationship with Jesus at that time in my life, so “religion” had no input that I was aware of. I did not know that “Behold, children are a heritage to The Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3 or “Before I I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were sanctified; (set apart) I ordained you as a prophet to the nations.” Jer 1:5

I dedicate this blog post to my firstborn son, the one who changed the trajectory of my life. I learned so many things from him, patience, empathy, and to be self-sacrificing. If we fast forward 14 years, he started attending a local church, he became a disciple of Christ. He was becoming renewed in his mind to become the man that he was created to be.

From that time until now, he has chosen to live a life of unwavering faith, a godly example to his two brothers and two sisters and to us as well. At an early age, he embraced the responsibilities of marriage and then fatherhood. He shows himself to be an excellent father, whether he is fixing his oldest daughter’s car, attending his son’s soccer games, or cross country in high school and now playing college level.

All of this while he works full time in law enforcement and is about to graduate with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. The memories of his leading our family to the cross are embedded within my heart, a reminder of the beautiful journey our family took together in discovering our faith. Because I gave him life, we have access to our heavenly home for an eternity. For that, I am forever grateful, a living testament to God's grace and plans beyond human understanding.

The reason that Renewed Life Ministry was born is because of the many experiences, positive and negative that I encountered as a young mother through various organizations and ministries. I went on to have four more wonderful blessings and now eight grandchildren!! They have made me so proud, and I know without any doubt that I was (born) created (in my mother's womb) to be a mother.

Karen L. Reyes