Love and Where It Came From

21 years ago, I found out I was pregnant.

It was a shock.

I was back in school after a semester in Maryland, working at the Defense Department. It was my second semester there and I'd gotten practical career experience. I liked Maryland. I wondered if I would work there after graduation, or if I'd work at a big company elsewhere. However, I was also seriously involved with someone; he'd actually asked my parents for my hand in marriage at Thanksgiving. We were planning to get married after graduation. We were in love.

He went with me to the doctor that day; it was the Student Health Center on campus. I didn't take a pregnancy test before then, sort of living in denial. When the doctor called us in, and said, "you're pregnant," my whole being stopped really listening. I heard some basic words like "you can get health care" but I didn't really remember much until I went back to my apartment. I knew we needed to talk to my parents, his parents.

I knew my life was about to change in a HUGE way.

I also understand now that God moved that day. God worked. God had a plan. God knew that baby would provide me a basis for knowing Him, for seeing Him in my day-to-day, for growing in grace. He knew the plans He had for me, plans for good, not for evil, plans to give me a future and a hope. And He did. God works all things together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

That baby is my precious daughter M, for who I give thanks for every day. She had to deal with a very young mom who was utterly naive and selfish in so many ways. She has taught me what sacrifice is, at least the sacrifices that moms go through.

Yet the love I feel towards her, the love I feel towards my daughter K, and the love I feel in my walk with Him, is nothing compared to His love for me. This love is what enables us, by His grace, to truly know what love is: the love that Jesus showed us in His death on the cross, in His resurrection, which he did to show His love for the church.

Let us celebrate this Valentine's Day that we are recipients of the kingdom of Heaven because of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.