Grateful for Who I am Today

I am glad that I am who I am today.

Over twenty-seven years ago, my parents were faced with a decision: carry their child to term and risk severe side effects caused by a prescription my mom was taking or terminate the pregnancy and try for a child at a later date.

At the ages of 18 and 20, they were young, unmarried, and non-Christian. Dad, enlisted with the Coast Gaurd, had orders to leave to Michigan. They could have chosen to end it there. But my parents looked at that doctor and, without hesitation, said, "we're keeping this child."

Months later, on a cool September day, they gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

And nearly 27 years later, that little girl is still healthy, married to the man of her dreams, the mommy to beautiful daughter, and pregnant with her second child.

I am grateful my parents, despite the counsel of doctors, made that choice to bring me into the world. In a world, where so many babies are unwanted and never given the chance to live, I am honored to be here today.

And here I stand, my cup overflowing, knowing with every fiber of my being that I am exactly who God designed me to be. Am I perfect? Of course not. I strive to be the very best that I can be in every circumstance. And whether or not I succeed, I strive to give glory to the Creator who so lovingly crafted me in my mother's womb and who knew who I would be long before I was ever born.

What a miracle and what a blessing! Because God protected me from threats against my existence, because He carried me through years of hardships and blessings, because He never let go of me, no matter the many times I questioned Him, I have been blessed to find myself standing in the midst of many treasures: my faith, my husband, and my children, both born and soon-to-be born.

What an amazing impact two people's decision made!

Destiny is an awesome thing. Its value cannot be quantified or diminished. Every life is a precious gift worth preserving. One cannot look at a tiny blip on a screen or a line on a stick and even begin to fathom the potential such a little being holds. Yet its potential is there, it is real, and, like those of us breathing today, it deserves every opportunity to thrive.

My parents look at me now and tell me that they are glad they chose life. And, when I look into my little girl's eyes and see all the passion and personality contained within her little soul, I can honestly say that I too am grateful for the gift they gave me and, thus, the gift that I have passed to my child.