New Beginnings in 2008

January 1, 2008 bethanygirl7
Tags: 2008, baby, Christian, Christmas, family, friendship, gifts, glory, God, miracles, mom, New Year, presents, single

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I can’t believe 2008 has arrived. Another year. Another opportunity to help wounded women discover hope, healing, and a brand new beginning. With Christmas, we celebrated the amazing gift of Jesus’ arrival into our world. His “new beginning” makes all others possible.

His hope for a better tomorrow is reflected when we reach out and love others. When we give rather than receive. When we care instead of condemn. This is what happened for Tina, the lovely young woman in the above Christmas photo. The baby? that’s her little guy, Daniel. Yes, he’s a quarter pounder alright! Football? We’ll have to wait and watch.

Anyhow, when Tina came to Bethany House she had nothing material. I mean other than the clothes on her back, a handful of broken relationships, and a sense of utter isolation, fear, and hopelessness, Tina had nothing much but a miniscule seed of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could build a new life for the child growing within her. Thankfully, that seed of hope was the most important thing she could have possibly had under the trying circumstances.

Like all single, pregnant women, Tina had struggled with the – ”Oh no. I’m pregnant. What am I going to do?” — questions. I say all because it’s been my experience working with moms-to-be that questions like this are just part of the process. I know they were for me. Yes, I, too, was and am a single mother. The obstacles were many. The challenges sometimes overwhelming (goodness, sometimes they still are) but the bottom line remains that with God’s help, and the love and support of others, parenting can be the greatest joy of all.

Bethany House helps women overcome the stigma of being “a single mom” and encourages them to instead embrace new ideas that can help change a lifetime of false beliefs and painful memories.

One local church family decided to bless Tina and her little (big) guy this Christmas with an array of needed supplies and just-for-fun gifts. I suspect you can see the pleasure on her face. Tina has never been a woman to take “hand outs.” In fact, she has great difficulty asking for help. So many of these girls want to be independent. They want to do it (life) on their own. However, sadly, for most of the women we’ve worked with that cling to that false ideal, the future is bleak. We weren’t created to do this motherhood/parenting thing all alone. Unfortunately, in today’s world, single parenting has become just a way of life. Lacking resources, supportive family, healthy friendships, and positive role models, many young women traipse into what seems like the wilderness of parenting.

Thankfully, with programs like Bethany House and other related maternity programs, women like Tina can learn to accept help and understand that pride is the wall that will keep the desperately needed help away. It’s okay to say, “Hey, I don’t have a clue what to do. I didn’t have a good role model from my mother. The baby’s dad, well, he’s not making good choices. I need help.” HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nope, no shame in that word!

I need help are the three words that successful parents are not afraid to speak. For it is in those three words rests the opportunity for others to say, “I love you and want to help.”

Although, Christmas has passed. Is there a young mom that needs your support? Have you ever considered donating time, talents, or maybe even your “treasure” (yes, money) to a program that helps others find new beginnings? Why not give it a try in 2008. You’ll be surprised by the results.

Tis the Season for bright New Beginnings. Let’s help shine the light of hope through another’s darkness.

If you’d like to check out an article on New Beginnings click here:

http://christianwomentoday.com/growth/new_beginnings.html

Entry Filed under: Bethany House General

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