This is the time of year we celebrate the beginning of the Greatest Story ever told, and I felt inspired to tell you my story, a story of redemption. My name is Courtney, I am the wife of Daniel and the mother of Kyla, Andrew, Lily, Henry, Abigail, Bethany, and William.
Daniel and I were high school sweethearts; I was a sophomore, 15, and he was a junior,17. I was head over heels in love. But my lifestyle at the time had me in situations my conscience protested. You see, I was raised a good Christian girl. My daddy was a deacon in the Southern Baptist church we had attended my whole life, and my mom was the choir director. I knew right from wrong, I knew about sin, I knew the Bible, I knew Jesus. But, I was quickly learning about the world and its pleasures, which were drawing and captivating my heart and mind at the time.
I found myself spiraling out of control, partying with friends, drinking and experimenting with drugs. Everything I knew was right was thrown right out the window, traded it for the fun and pleasures of the moment. In Proverbs 14:12 it says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” The way of the world seemed right, I mean everyone else was doing it, but the end of that path of sin would have led me to death.
I missed my period. I didn’t tell anyone, I mean I was 15, what in the world do I say? Where do I go? What do I do? Months passed, and I was scared to death.
My mother forced me to admit what I had been denying, I was pregnant. And although she and my dad were disappointed in me, they were also my strength, unwavering in their love for me. They told me that we would get through this together, and this baby would be loved and cared for. I remember my mom saying, “One day your testimony will be used to touch others, and will bring glory to God.”
My boyfriend stood by me as well, he accepted his role as a father. Daniel got a job and started providing for his daughter, who quickly wrapped him around her tiny little finger. Then one day all the spiritual pieces came together, and God got ahold of our hearts. He used this tiny little person to draw us to Himself. At the time, I felt my life was over, that I would never be the same. Little did I know that my life was just beginning, and that the beauty He would bring out the ashes I had created would be more amazing than anything I could have ever imagined!
When our daughter was 3, Daniel and I got married. One of the happiest days of my life. And we have never looked back. He has been a man after God’s heart, and I am so grateful every day that the verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17 is true, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
I can’t help thinking, especially at this time of year about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Though our situations were vastly different, they were similar as well. Can you imagine her having to explain her situation to her parents? I can just imagine her trying to explain how an angel told her she was to be the mother of the Son of God in flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit. I can imagine the looks and stares she got from people in her village, and how she must have felt, maybe lonely and scared, just like I did. But, in Luke 1:46-50, Mary sings a beautiful song of worship to God, “And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.” Wow, this amazes me, Mary’s courage and unwavering trust in God is something to be imitated in my own life.
Mary was carrying the very Son of God. The angel told her about her son, “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end,” Luke 1:32-33. This baby, born out of wedlock, was to be the Savior of the world. I always say, my daughter saved my life, but Mary’s baby boy came to save and redeem us all!
During this Christmas season, we hope you will also take time to reflect on what the birth of Jesus means to you and your family. For me it means that, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Corinthians 5:21. It means “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved,” John 3:16-17. Love, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, redemption, and thanksgiving. That is what Christmas means to me. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas, from our family, and all of us here at Cities4Life Charlotte.
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. “ Isaiah 9:6
-To give the gift of LIFE this Christmas, please visit us here. And THANK YOU for supporting what God is doing here in Charlotte!