My Inspiration

The other day, I witnessed the joy of a mother that I won’t forget. This woman is someone I can tell other girls about as an inspiration. I had seen pictures in the Bronx pregnancy center of a beautiful baby with big eyes and chunky cheeks. While we were counseling a girl in a difficult case who was worried about what her parents would think, the mother of the baby boy came in with cups of ice cream for us in the office. When she saw there was a client she bought ice cream for her as well. I didn’t know anything about her, but I was struck by her extremely joyful smile and generosity.
When she left the client was still there, talking with Liz about her family issues and troubles with pregnancy when Liz told the rest of her story. The woman who had brought the ice cream had come into the center quite a few months ago, pregnant, homeless, disowned by her family, and beaten by her boyfriend. She sells ice cream on the hot streets for a living. Even after her terrible circumstances, she still comes into the office with stories of her son who she calls her joy. When Liz thanked her for the ice cream she said it was nothing compared to what we at the center do.
Her story from the rock bottom is empowering to other women and inspirational to me. If God can create joy from such terrible and lonely circumstances in the life of this woman, no circumstances are beyond His goodness.