When we sense God calling us to do something new, we typically weigh the cost, determine whether it is something we can do, and then decide whether or not to commit. Twenty-five years ago, I decided to serve as a mentor with Teen Mother Choices. Since I was strongly pro-life, I needed to step up and make sure my walk matched my talk. I thought being a mentor was fully within my capabilities and that I could, perhaps, in some small way, make a difference in a young mom’s life as I walked alongside her.
However, I had no idea how much God would use the four teen moms I would mentor over the next ten years in my own personal sanctification: my growth in faith and spiritual maturity. These young women were vehicles through which God revealed much about himself to me. As I shared a bit of my life with each of them through our one-on-one time and in Life Skills classes, I learned as much about life as the moms I mentored did. Some life lessons were harder than others, but deep and lasting relationships blossomed and grew in the rejoicing, crying, birthday celebrations, and even a couple of weddings. God was always present, enabling us to persevere and experience many victories.
As Thanksgiving nears, TMC is one of the programs I am thankful for. I am thankful for the way TMC serves teen moms, and I am grateful that God used this program and these young women to mature my faith in ways I would never have learned otherwise.
Written by Marcia Furrow
TMCI® Board Member
