Blessings in the Struggle: A Working Mother's Journey of Faith

It is likely not the first time you've heard that our lives and paths are not linear, or that we make plans and watch God laugh. This could be the story of my early adult life! I always wanted to be "good." I wanted to join the sorority, graduate with honors, run Madison Avenue, then find my dream man and have some babies. Sounds solid, no? Queue the bad college decisions here.

When One Path Closes, Another Opens

When I entered the workforce in 2017, I wasn't alone—my precious one-year-old daughter was right beside me. While my college friends celebrated graduation with dreams of ski trips to Vail and adventures in Greece, I was silently calculating how to stretch my grocery budget through another week. The contrast between our lives was stark, though I kept this reality carefully hidden behind cheerful social media posts and "I'm doing great!" responses.

Looking back, I can see how the Lord was preparing me for a purpose far greater than I could imagine at the time.

Seasons of Stretching and Growing

College became a blur of unexcused absences for prenatal appointments and late nights racing to finish assignments. I still remember the sting of professors' comments about my "lack of participation" in class discussions. If only they had known that beneath my quiet exterior was a young woman running on empty—pregnant, working until 11 PM, and fighting to keep her dreams alive.

Just one month after my daughter was born, I returned to school, my body still healing but my spirit determined. The Lord blessed me with a beautiful baby girl, but she suffered from colic that kept us both awake through the night. My determination and exhaustion were slowly breaking me, but I couldn't bring myself to admit it—not to others, and certainly not to myself.

The Mask We Wear

At twenty-one, I graduated and stepped into my first internship with a secret tucked close to my heart—I was a mother. Fear kept me silent; I didn't want to seem irresponsible or invite judgment from colleagues who might not understand. Now, eight years later, I can see how misguided that fear was, how it prevented me from embracing the fullness of who God created me to be.

Each day brought new challenges—a 55-mile commute, surviving on minimum wage, all while nurturing the precious life entrusted to me. When I finally secured a full-time position with a starting salary of $35,000, I thought surely the clouds would part. Instead, rent and daycare costs swallowed my paycheck whole, groceries remained a constant worry, and my modest savings dwindled with frightening speed.

Yet I maintained appearances, as if everything was perfectly fine. Sometimes I even convinced myself it was.

Interruptions in Unexpected Places

The turning point in my journey came from the most unexpected source—a global pandemic. Just before COVID changed our world, I had moved into a house, planning to marry my fiancé that April and share the burden of increased rent. Lockdowns delayed our wedding until October, but my fiancé stepped in to help with expenses. Daycare closures, though challenging, saved us hundreds of dollars, and stimulus checks brought unexpected relief.

For the first time, I could keep food in our refrigerator without constant anxiety. That single change felt miraculous—a small provision that reminded me of God's faithfulness even in the wilderness seasons.

Lessons Written on My Heart

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5:3-4

Looking back on this season of my life, I see the beautiful ways God has shaped me through struggle. These lessons have been etched into my heart:

1. Never Hide Who God Created You to Be

   For too long, I tried to separate my identity as a mother from my professional self, believing I needed to fit a certain mold to be accepted. Now I understand that embracing my whole self— the working professional and the nurturing mama—brings an authenticity that honors God's design for my life. When we show up as our complete selves, we bring unique gifts to every table we sit at.

   
   

2. Your Story is Building Holy Character

   Those late nights, tight budgets, and tearful prayers weren't just difficult moments—they were the very tools God used to sculpt my character. My struggles pushed me to work harder, not just for a paycheck, but to provide for the precious child He entrusted to me. Every challenge became a testimony of His provision and my perseverance.

   
   

3. Stewardship Starts with Small Faithfulness

   Even in the tightest months, I saved what I could—sometimes just $7, other times $48. These seemingly insignificant acts of financial stewardship were building something greater than a bank account; they were cultivating discipline and faith that God would multiply my efforts. These small beginnings laid the foundation for financial peace that would come later.
   

4. Community is God's Design for Us

   Perhaps my greatest mistake was carrying burdens alone that were meant to be shared. I let fear of others' perceptions keep me isolated when God had already placed people in my path who would have gladly walked alongside me. Now I understand that reaching out isn't weakness—it's embracing the community God designed us to need.

An Offering of Gratitude

I'm deeply grateful for those who helped me through those challenging years—the family members who babysat without question, the coworkers who became friends, and even strangers whose small kindnesses carried me through difficult days.

If you see yourself in this story—perhaps you're a young mother balancing dreams and diapers, or someone facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles—please hear this truth: the resilience you're building through these choices has eternal value. Your journey, however challenging, is creating in you a testimony of God's faithfulness that will echo far beyond this season.

The world may measure success in promotions and possessions, but there's a deeper success in faithfully walking the path God has set before you—even when that path looks nothing like you expected.