The sought after adventure of marrying Rodney Phillips became a roller-coaster ride for a small town girl more than she could have ever imagined. Leaving home and family in the south and moving to the gray skies of the north brought a great deal of isolation and loneliness. Then just two months after turning 20 years old, an overwhelming awareness became stronger and stronger.

I was pregnant!

Over a thousand miles from home, and having a baby, I found myself very excited and very fearful all at the same time. But just two months before my 21^st birthday, I gave birth to a beautiful baby. Rodney had been by my side through the entire process. I cannot find the words to explain how excited I was to hear the doctor announce, “it’s a boy!”

“Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” –James 1:17

I felt such a sense of accomplishment. I had given Rodney a son. (Of course, it was all God’s doing but I was the vessel He had used.) What a high that was for me! However, Rodney was feeling exhausted by this time. It was now lunchtime and we agreed he would go home and sleep for a few hours and then return for the evening meal. Yet, when the appointed time came for him to return, He was nowhere to be found. I called our apartment to no avail. So I assumed he was on his way. But a short time later, still no Rodney. We lived in close proximity to the hospital, so trying not to be concerned, I called the apartment once again. This time I let the phone ring off the hook (as the old adage goes), and finally a voice at the other end answered, “Hello,” in a muffled tone. “Why aren’t you coming?” I asked. To this was his priceless reply, “Where are you?” I had not slept a wink, filled with adrenaline from having been in labor all night long, and then pushing a baby out of my body for an hour and 15 minutes (without contractions because they had stopped and I refused the drip to get them going again). A thought flashed through my head but I realized that was highly illegal. So, jarring his sleepy-headed memory, I reminded him of the little bundle that had come into the world just a short time earlier and was waiting to be held by his daddy!

Where are YOU on this adventure of life? And what could use some jarring to get you motivated?