“What are you wearing to prom?”

I dreaded that question my senior year. While many of my classmates were planning dresses and parties, I was learning how to take care of a baby. I was a mom, and prom wasn't exactly a priority. 

There was no money for a dress or prom ticket anyway, and so I didn’t go.

At the time, I told myself it didn’t matter. But looking back? It did. I would’ve loved to get dressed up and go. That just wasn’t my reality.

Though I had given my life to Jesus when I was younger, at this point in my life I was running away from Him with every ounce of my being. I felt rejected and judged and didn’t want anything to do with the “church people” or the whole God thing.

I remember walking the halls of my high school pregnant—  I saw the stares and I felt the shame.

I also heard the whispers, “She ruined her life,” they said “She’ll never amount to anything.”

And for a long time, I believed them. But then something changed.

I got to a point where I was desperate. My way of life wasn’t working, and I was miserable.

One day, through tears, I rededicated my life to Jesus.

My prayer wasn’t fancy, I literally just said,

“God if you’re real and the story is true that you sent your son Jesus for sinners; I’m that sinner. If you can do something better with my life, have it.”

I’ll never forget that moment. A wave of redemption washed over me. I felt God's love and grace cover everything. The lies that used to haunt me lost their power. I wasn’t the sum of my mistakes. From that day forward no one could tell me who I was, because I already knew. I was a daughter of the King—redeemed, restored, and called with purpose.

Though I felt this on the inside, my life in the physical world wasn't easy.  At 19, I was about to have my second daughter. But I held on to my faith. I finished college. I found purpose. And eventually, I got the chance to work at KSBJ, where I’ve been serving ever since.

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Fast forward to now—my youngest daughter just had her prom. By God’s grace, I was able to make it special—not just for her and her friends, but also for me.

Watching her that weekend was like watching a full-circle moment of grace. I never imagined that the girl who felt so broken, scared, and ashamed would one day be this mom. The mom that steps up and looks for ways to celebrate her child.

God can take you farther than you ever imagined—not just for your benefit, but for His glory.

So if you’re in a hard season, please don’t give up. You are not forgotten. You are not disqualified.
You are a child of the King, bought with a price, and created with purpose.

Parenting is a high calling—and one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever been given.

With love,
Your friend,
Reyna