Amidst complaints that “this baby never should have been born” a young girl gives the gift of life to a baby girl; a baby that would never know her father, a baby that would be kept a secret for many months, and a baby that God had a plan for.

Jeanette had just turned seventeen when she first suspected the pregnancy.  In a time when unwed mothers were shunned she did not know what to do.  So she did nothing.

For seven months she hid the tiny life growing inside of her.  At first it was easy to ignore.  Practically a child still herself, she hoped that if she ignored the “facts”, they would go away or take care of themselves.  Then the baby began to move.

Torn between the desire to embrace her pregnancy and child, and the shame they would both endure if she did, she continued to keep silent.

She had no idea that God was at work and that he was bigger than her unplanned pregnancy.

When the summons to the principal’s office came, Jeanette was not surprised.  But it didn’t lessen the anxiety she felt as she pushed open the office door.  What was a surprise was the couple already seated in the office – her parents.  Rumors had finally reached them and the moment of truth had arrived ... maybe.

A denial of the rumored pregnancy held the truth at bay until a doctor’s visit finally removed all doubt.  There was a baby coming in just a couple of months.

Jeanette’s plan to run away and have her baby quietly was now put to rest.  Her parents agreed that she should stay where she was and that they would help her.  A friend suggested that Jeanette go see a truck driver “who knew what to do with babies”, but that option was not only unwanted, it was illegal.

God was still at work and he had a plan.

An expulsion from school followed immediately after the doctor’s confirmation.  A tutor was set up to help Jeanette complete her senior year of high school.  Two months later she received her high school diploma and gave birth to her baby daughter on the same day.

She gave her baby girl a middle name that means, “God is gracious” ... because God was working.

In time, Jeanette met a man that she fell in love with and married.  He accepted her daughter as if she were his own ... because God had a plan.

Jeanette and her husband also discovered that their desperate longings were meant to be filled by Christ and his love and they willingly embraced that.  They began learning how to walk in Christ’s forgiveness.  And they continued to raise that little girl ... and her sisters and brother.

Because of the lack of prenatal care and some destructive choices made during pregnancy, that little girl should have struggled in school.  She should have had any number of learning disabilities, should have been sexually active in high school, and she should have chosen a destructive life style for herself.  But she didn’t.  God had worked because he was bigger than all obstacles and his plan was happening.

Eventually that little baby that “never should have been born” became an honor student, was vice-president of her college class, and graduated with honors.

She also became amazed at Christ’s unfailing love and developed a passion for God’s word.  She even married a pastor.

Today you will find her laughing with her children over silly jokes, stealing kisses from her husband over coffee at the local coffee shop, and meeting weekly with other women to mentor and encourage them in their walk with Christ.

You’ll also find her sitting on her living room floor with a computer in her lap typing out her story or sharing little bits of advice.  Why?  You guessed it; because that little baby became me.