Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
God's been moving all over town.
Good news, gossip, spreadinghope and light.
Good news, gossip, making darkdays bright.
Every testimony, every story.
What's up, everybody?
Welcome back to The Good NewsGossip, the place where we spill
(00:22):
the best kind of tea, the truthabout Jesus.
You know, people love to talk.
They love the latest scoop, theinside story, the did you hear
about so and so, but today I'mflipping the script because the
story I'm sharing is my own.
Now, this isn't just any story.
(00:42):
It's my testimony.
It's raw, it's real, it'shonest, and it's the most
important thing that has everhappened to me.
So if you're here for the goodgossip, the kind that changes
lives in the best way, get readyfor your understanding of gossip
to change, because I'm about togive you a tell all on how Jesus
(01:03):
completely turned my lifearound.
Let's get into it.
I want to start off by tellingyou how I grew up.
I grew up casually going tochurch.
It wasn't really a strict,forced thing.
It was a go if you want to gotype of thing.
But I always felt a strongcuriosity for who God was from a
young age.
(01:24):
It wouldn't be until I was 17that I would actually begin to
have answers.
Before 17, I had witnessed acycle of drug addiction from my
dad.
Growing up, I was such a daddy'sgirl, so when I began to see
brokenness inside of him, Iwanted to be the one to put him
back together.
(01:44):
But there was nothing I coulddo.
This is actually the thread thatstarted to unravel my sense of
security, my belonging, and selfworth.
At the age of 15, I wasintoxicated on a regular basis.
I was a self proclaimed potheadand had lost my virginity at 14.
I had continued seekingvalidation from boys.
(02:08):
However, one boy in particularwent to church.
When he invited me to startgoing with him, I didn't know it
then, but it would completelychange my trajectory of life.
To be completely honest, I onlystarted going to this youth
group to be able to spend moretime with this boyfriend but
eventually it stopped beingabout him.
I was actually connecting withthe other kids and making new
(02:30):
friends, and these friends hadparents at the church.
They seemed to have somethingthat I didn't have, but I wanted
so badly.
This is where I finally begantaking my relationship with God
seriously.
I wanted to know what thepreacher was talking about.
What the songs meant that wewould sing on Sundays, and why
my friends and their parentswere happy without doing drugs
(02:53):
or alcohol.
My lifestyle hadn't reallychanged, but my heart was
changing.
I do see now that God wasworking on me because he knew
that I would face the biggestdecision of my life very soon.
I was 16 and he was 14 when thisboyfriend and I started dating.
By the time we realized that ourrelationship was coming to an
(03:13):
end, it was the summer of 2012.
I don't remember the exacttimeline, but in the span of a
few days, we had been figuringout life outside of our
relationship.
When I had this undeniablefeeling, I needed to take a
pregnancy test.
He was with me when I took it,and I'm sure the shock of the
positive test result is atraumatizing memory for us both.
(03:38):
I truly didn't know how to feeleither because throughout the
past few years, while my mom haddone her best to teach me
safety, she would also tell methat if I ever got pregnant in
high school, I was going to havean abortion.
She was serious about this, butI never really considered the
reality of it until it washappening to me.
I mean, what 15 and 17 year oldactually consider the outcomes
(04:01):
of the choices they make?
After telling both of ourparents, everything is a blur
for me.
All I remember is having thishuge, shameful secret, but also
feeling like I needed to protectmy baby.
My mom was still set on me nothaving to become a mom at such a
young age.
And at this time, I couldn'thelp but feel resentment for the
(04:22):
woman I once admired because sheherself was married and pregnant
with me at 16.
The hypocrisy angered me.
All my life I had listened to mymom.
Tell my brother and I how wewere the best things that ever
happened to her.
I couldn't help but think, whywould she not want me to have my
baby so I could cherish them theway that she cherished us?
(04:45):
Behind her tough act during thistime, I knew she was just a
disappointed mom, watching herdaughter making all the choices
she never wanted her to have tomake.
My mom had gone through so muchto make sure my brother and I
had everything we needed.
I respected her for all thesacrifices she made for us,
although I hadn't planned onbeing an unwed and pregnant high
(05:07):
school student.
I felt my motherly instinctsalready taking over to make all
the sacrifices I needed to formy baby.
Prior to the breakup and thereality of becoming parents, My
boyfriend and I had planned togo on a trip with our youth
group to a church camp inKentucky.
I decided to still go and I'mnot exactly sure why because I
(05:28):
was having the worst morningsickness.
And that would be very hard tohide.
But I would find out soon why Iwas meant to be there at that
church camp.
When we showed up to the firstnight of camp, I had just met my
camp counselor.
And she was getting to know usby having us fill out a paper.
The last question on this pieceof paper said, Tell me something
(05:50):
nobody knows about you.
This was the moment I felt aboldness come over me.
A boldness that I have come tolearn now only happens when God
is working.
I'll never forget how it felt towrite the words, I'm pregnant.
I'm absolutely sure that this isthe last thing that camp
(06:11):
counselor expected to read whenshe was going through all the
answers.
Maybe a part of me thought thatshe wouldn't actually read them,
but she did, and I know thisbecause her and a chaperone from
the church found me a littlelater, sat with me in the empty
chapel, and began to talk to me.
What I remember most from thisconversation that they had with
(06:33):
me was The piece that I felt Ididn't feel ashamed or judged.
These two women worked on behalfof the Lord, and they ministered
to me in the darkest point in mylife.
They told me about the love andforgiveness that Jesus had to
offer.
All I had to do was accept it.
(06:53):
And I was so ready to ask andreceive everything that the Lord
was ready to give me.
In this moment, I knew he wantedme to keep my baby.
This child was not a sin,although I had sinned.
This innocent life was not apunishment.
He was a blessing of the mostabundant kind.
(07:13):
After my encounter with Jesusand his forgiveness, I felt
renewed.
I felt empowered to share what Iwas going through with the rest
of the youth group girls.
It wasn't easy, I felt as thoughI had let them down, and I
apologized for not setting abetter example.
I was taking accountability andgrowing up rapidly.
(07:34):
I had to if I was going to standup to my mom once and for all
and tell her that I am keepingthis baby.
We get back from the church tripand it wasn't too long
afterwards that my mom is on thephone with the abortion clinic
making the appointment.
She hands the phone to me andtells me that they have to speak
to me.
(07:54):
And the lady on the other endtells me that I can make this
decision for myself.
I remember her telling me thatsince I was 17 this is my
choice.
I don't remember what I said tothis lady.
I wish that I did and I wishthat I knew her name because I
could tell her that my son isnow 12 years old.
(08:14):
The decision to keep my son wasnot an easy one, but it was the
right one.
While pregnant with my son, Iwas baptized, marking the
beginning of my walk withChrist.
Over the next 12 years, I facedmany struggles, each one
reminding me of my need forGod's grace.
Time and time again, heintervened, guiding me back when
(08:35):
I strayed.
No matter how far I drifted, Iwas always met with the
unwavering love of Jesus, gentlycalling me home.
I also want to make one thingvery clear.
My mom deeply regrets everhaving the mindset of abortion.
If she could redo any moment inher life, it would be this one.
(08:57):
The mere thought of not havingher grandchild here today is
unbearable to her.
But Jesus stepped in, completelytransformed her heart, changed
the way she saw my pregnancy,and replaced fear with love.
By the time my son arrived, shewas overjoyed to welcome him
into the world, and from thatmoment on, she's been absolutely
(09:19):
obsessed with him.
I also want to take theopportunity to talk about my
dad.
I mentioned in the beginning ofmy story how our relationship
was strained and how drugaddiction played a part.
But I am so beyond blessedbecause my dad actually
(09:39):
encountered Jesus himself.
And it's his relationship withthe Lord that has honestly given
me such a strong connectionmyself.
Because I do believe that whenyou have a father that is
looking to the Father, you havea firm foundation.
(10:02):
And so, I just want to givepraise for that, and just also
give my dad the recognition hedeserves because he had to fight
a lot of battles and a lot ofdemons in his lifetime.
And for Jesus to have taken overhis heart for him to be the man
(10:23):
that he is today is somethingreally commendable.
And, I am just beyond blessed.
I have two wonderful parents,and I have amazing step parents.
Not to discount them at allbecause I truly feel like I just
hit the mother load when itcomes to parenting.
(10:44):
And even though my brother andI, we had our struggles during
childhood, it doesn't affect meas much to this day because I
did give everything over.
To the Lord, and that is what isso supernatural about following
Jesus, is you can have, like,the worst of the worst
experiences, but when you trulyencounter Him, He takes that all
(11:07):
away, and gives you a life thatis full of joy, a heart that
isn't heavy, and just thiswonderful outlook on life,
honestly.
So, I just wanted to tell youguys that part of my story.
Obviously, I have moretestimony.
(11:30):
I have had a lot of encounterswith Jesus.
So, this won't be my last pieceof testimony, but this is the
major one.
This is how I came to knowChrist.
Okay, this was a hard story toshare, but I know someone out
there needed to hear it.
If that's you, if you're facingwhat feels like an impossible
(11:52):
situation, if you feel alone,afraid, or like you've messed up
too much for God to love you,let me tell you, His grace is
bigger.
His love is stronger, and He iswith you, just like He was with
me.
Twelve years ago, I was ascared, seventeen year old girl,
convinced my life was over.
(12:13):
But God had a plan greater thanmy fear.
He took my brokenness and turnedit into something beautiful.
My son is living proof of God'sgoodness, and so am I.
Maybe you're listening, andyou're at a crossroads,
wondering if God can reallyforgive you.
Really love you.
Really redeem your story.
(12:34):
Let me be the one to tell you hecan.
He already has.
All you have to do is turn tohim.
If this episode spoke to you,I'd love to hear your story.
You're not alone and I want youto know that God sees you.
If you need prayer or justsomeone to reach out to, to talk
to, we're here.
If you know someone who needs tohear this, share this episode
(12:57):
with them.
You never know how one story,one moment of encouragement can
change a life.
Thank you for listening to theGood News Gossip.
Until next time, remember thebest news you'll ever hear is
that Jesus loves you, and that'sone thing worth sharing.
You heard my story this week,but next week you'll be hearing
Charity's testimony, so staytuned, subscribe, download, and
(13:23):
share.
God's been moving all over town.
Good news, gossip, spreadinghope and light.
Good news, gossip, making darkdays bright.
Every testimony, every story.
God's been moving all over town.
Good news, gossip, spreadinghope and light.
Good news, gossip, making darkdays bright.
Every testimony, every story.
What's up, everybody?
Welcome back to The Good NewsGossip, the place where we spill
(00:22):
the best kind of tea, the truthabout Jesus.
You know, people love to talk.
They love the latest scoop, theinside story, the did you hear
about so and so, but today I'mflipping the script because the
story I'm sharing is my own.
Now, this isn't just any story.
(00:42):
It's my testimony.
It's raw, it's real, it'shonest, and it's the most
important thing that has everhappened to me.
So if you're here for the goodgossip, the kind that changes
lives in the best way, get readyfor your understanding of gossip
to change, because I'm about togive you a tell all on how Jesus
(01:03):
completely turned my lifearound.
Let's get into it.
I want to start off by tellingyou how I grew up.
I grew up casually going tochurch.
It wasn't really a strict,forced thing.
It was a go if you want to gotype of thing.
But I always felt a strongcuriosity for who God was from a
young age.
(01:24):
It wouldn't be until I was 17that I would actually begin to
have answers.
Before 17, I had witnessed acycle of drug addiction from my
dad.
Growing up, I was such a daddy'sgirl, so when I began to see
brokenness inside of him, Iwanted to be the one to put him
back together.
(01:44):
But there was nothing I coulddo.
This is actually the thread thatstarted to unravel my sense of
security, my belonging, and selfworth.
At the age of 15, I wasintoxicated on a regular basis.
I was a self proclaimed potheadand had lost my virginity at 14.
I had continued seekingvalidation from boys.
(02:08):
However, one boy in particularwent to church.
When he invited me to startgoing with him, I didn't know it
then, but it would completelychange my trajectory of life.
To be completely honest, I onlystarted going to this youth
group to be able to spend moretime with this boyfriend but
eventually it stopped beingabout him.
I was actually connecting withthe other kids and making new
(02:30):
friends, and these friends hadparents at the church.
They seemed to have somethingthat I didn't have, but I wanted
so badly.
This is where I finally begantaking my relationship with God
seriously.
I wanted to know what thepreacher was talking about.
What the songs meant that wewould sing on Sundays, and why
my friends and their parentswere happy without doing drugs
(02:53):
or alcohol.
My lifestyle hadn't reallychanged, but my heart was
changing.
I do see now that God wasworking on me because he knew
that I would face the biggestdecision of my life very soon.
I was 16 and he was 14 when thisboyfriend and I started dating.
By the time we realized that ourrelationship was coming to an
(03:13):
end, it was the summer of 2012.
I don't remember the exacttimeline, but in the span of a
few days, we had been figuringout life outside of our
relationship.
When I had this undeniablefeeling, I needed to take a
pregnancy test.
He was with me when I took it,and I'm sure the shock of the
positive test result is atraumatizing memory for us both.
(03:38):
I truly didn't know how to feeleither because throughout the
past few years, while my mom haddone her best to teach me
safety, she would also tell methat if I ever got pregnant in
high school, I was going to havean abortion.
She was serious about this, butI never really considered the
reality of it until it washappening to me.
I mean, what 15 and 17 year oldactually consider the outcomes
(04:01):
of the choices they make?
After telling both of ourparents, everything is a blur
for me.
All I remember is having thishuge, shameful secret, but also
feeling like I needed to protectmy baby.
My mom was still set on me nothaving to become a mom at such a
young age.
And at this time, I couldn'thelp but feel resentment for the
(04:22):
woman I once admired because sheherself was married and pregnant
with me at 16.
The hypocrisy angered me.
All my life I had listened to mymom.
Tell my brother and I how wewere the best things that ever
happened to her.
I couldn't help but think, whywould she not want me to have my
baby so I could cherish them theway that she cherished us?
(04:45):
Behind her tough act during thistime, I knew she was just a
disappointed mom, watching herdaughter making all the choices
she never wanted her to have tomake.
My mom had gone through so muchto make sure my brother and I
had everything we needed.
I respected her for all thesacrifices she made for us,
although I hadn't planned onbeing an unwed and pregnant high
(05:07):
school student.
I felt my motherly instinctsalready taking over to make all
the sacrifices I needed to formy baby.
Prior to the breakup and thereality of becoming parents, My
boyfriend and I had planned togo on a trip with our youth
group to a church camp inKentucky.
I decided to still go and I'mnot exactly sure why because I
(05:28):
was having the worst morningsickness.
And that would be very hard tohide.
But I would find out soon why Iwas meant to be there at that
church camp.
When we showed up to the firstnight of camp, I had just met my
camp counselor.
And she was getting to know usby having us fill out a paper.
The last question on this pieceof paper said, Tell me something
(05:50):
nobody knows about you.
This was the moment I felt aboldness come over me.
A boldness that I have come tolearn now only happens when God
is working.
I'll never forget how it felt towrite the words, I'm pregnant.
I'm absolutely sure that this isthe last thing that camp
(06:11):
counselor expected to read whenshe was going through all the
answers.
Maybe a part of me thought thatshe wouldn't actually read them,
but she did, and I know thisbecause her and a chaperone from
the church found me a littlelater, sat with me in the empty
chapel, and began to talk to me.
What I remember most from thisconversation that they had with
(06:33):
me was The piece that I felt Ididn't feel ashamed or judged.
These two women worked on behalfof the Lord, and they ministered
to me in the darkest point in mylife.
They told me about the love andforgiveness that Jesus had to
offer.
All I had to do was accept it.
(06:53):
And I was so ready to ask andreceive everything that the Lord
was ready to give me.
In this moment, I knew he wantedme to keep my baby.
This child was not a sin,although I had sinned.
This innocent life was not apunishment.
He was a blessing of the mostabundant kind.
(07:13):
After my encounter with Jesusand his forgiveness, I felt
renewed.
I felt empowered to share what Iwas going through with the rest
of the youth group girls.
It wasn't easy, I felt as thoughI had let them down, and I
apologized for not setting abetter example.
I was taking accountability andgrowing up rapidly.
(07:34):
I had to if I was going to standup to my mom once and for all
and tell her that I am keepingthis baby.
We get back from the church tripand it wasn't too long
afterwards that my mom is on thephone with the abortion clinic
making the appointment.
She hands the phone to me andtells me that they have to speak
to me.
(07:54):
And the lady on the other endtells me that I can make this
decision for myself.
I remember her telling me thatsince I was 17 this is my
choice.
I don't remember what I said tothis lady.
I wish that I did and I wishthat I knew her name because I
could tell her that my son isnow 12 years old.
(08:14):
The decision to keep my son wasnot an easy one, but it was the
right one.
While pregnant with my son, Iwas baptized, marking the
beginning of my walk withChrist.
Over the next 12 years, I facedmany struggles, each one
reminding me of my need forGod's grace.
Time and time again, heintervened, guiding me back when
(08:35):
I strayed.
No matter how far I drifted, Iwas always met with the
unwavering love of Jesus, gentlycalling me home.
I also want to make one thingvery clear.
My mom deeply regrets everhaving the mindset of abortion.
If she could redo any moment inher life, it would be this one.
(08:57):
The mere thought of not havingher grandchild here today is
unbearable to her.
But Jesus stepped in, completelytransformed her heart, changed
the way she saw my pregnancy,and replaced fear with love.
By the time my son arrived, shewas overjoyed to welcome him
into the world, and from thatmoment on, she's been absolutely
(09:19):
obsessed with him.
I also want to take theopportunity to talk about my
dad.
I mentioned in the beginning ofmy story how our relationship
was strained and how drugaddiction played a part.
But I am so beyond blessedbecause my dad actually
(09:39):
encountered Jesus himself.
And it's his relationship withthe Lord that has honestly given
me such a strong connectionmyself.
Because I do believe that whenyou have a father that is
looking to the Father, you havea firm foundation.
(10:02):
And so, I just want to givepraise for that, and just also
give my dad the recognition hedeserves because he had to fight
a lot of battles and a lot ofdemons in his lifetime.
And for Jesus to have taken overhis heart for him to be the man
(10:23):
that he is today is somethingreally commendable.
And, I am just beyond blessed.
I have two wonderful parents,and I have amazing step parents.
Not to discount them at allbecause I truly feel like I just
hit the mother load when itcomes to parenting.
(10:44):
And even though my brother andI, we had our struggles during
childhood, it doesn't affect meas much to this day because I
did give everything over.
To the Lord, and that is what isso supernatural about following
Jesus, is you can have, like,the worst of the worst
experiences, but when you trulyencounter Him, He takes that all
(11:07):
away, and gives you a life thatis full of joy, a heart that
isn't heavy, and just thiswonderful outlook on life,
honestly.
So, I just wanted to tell youguys that part of my story.
Obviously, I have moretestimony.
(11:30):
I have had a lot of encounterswith Jesus.
So, this won't be my last pieceof testimony, but this is the
major one.
This is how I came to knowChrist.
Okay, this was a hard story toshare, but I know someone out
there needed to hear it.
If that's you, if you're facingwhat feels like an impossible
(11:52):
situation, if you feel alone,afraid, or like you've messed up
too much for God to love you,let me tell you, His grace is
bigger.
His love is stronger, and He iswith you, just like He was with
me.
Twelve years ago, I was ascared, seventeen year old girl,
convinced my life was over.
(12:13):
But God had a plan greater thanmy fear.
He took my brokenness and turnedit into something beautiful.
My son is living proof of God'sgoodness, and so am I.
Maybe you're listening, andyou're at a crossroads,
wondering if God can reallyforgive you.
Really love you.
Really redeem your story.
(12:34):
Let me be the one to tell you hecan.
He already has.
All you have to do is turn tohim.
If this episode spoke to you,I'd love to hear your story.
You're not alone and I want youto know that God sees you.
If you need prayer or justsomeone to reach out to, to talk
to, we're here.
If you know someone who needs tohear this, share this episode
(12:57):
with them.
You never know how one story,one moment of encouragement can
change a life.
Thank you for listening to theGood News Gossip.
Until next time, remember thebest news you'll ever hear is
that Jesus loves you, and that'sone thing worth sharing.
You heard my story this week,but next week you'll be hearing
Charity's testimony, so staytuned, subscribe, download, and
(13:23):
share.
God's been moving all over town.
Good news, gossip, spreadinghope and light.
Good news, gossip, making darkdays bright.
Every testimony, every story.
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