Kayla Woods, a mother to six shares her personal journey, a journey of self-discovery, of redemption, and of love. A journey that has been shaped by the trials and tribulations of life, a journey that has been marked by the scars of the past, yet illuminated by the hope of the future.
I was born to teenage parents, a circumstance that often leads to confusion and a sense of being lost. My early years were filled with a sense of disorientation, a constant struggle to understand my place in the world. I was a product of a society that often overlooks the importance of teenage parents and the challenges they face. My father was absent during my formative years, a void that left me feeling unloved and unappreciated. My mother, despite her best efforts, struggled to provide for us. I was not an easy child to love, often acting out and making it difficult for her to show me the affection I so desperately craved. I found myself stuck in a cycle of victimization, constantly blaming my circumstances for my actions. I was so angry at the world, so resentful of the hand I was dealt, that I began to hurt others, causing harm to those I never intended to harm.
I was the product of two teenage parents who didn't want me. My mother worked tirelessly to protect me, but her efforts often resulted in pain. I was bitter, angry, and resentful. I began to hurt people, not out of malice, but out of a deep-seated pain that I couldn't shake off. I was so mad at what happened to me, so angry at the world, that I lost sight of God. I only saw people turning to God in times of mom desperation, when someone was dying, or when they needed a miracle. When these miracles didn't materialize, I questioned God's existence. I wondered, how could I believe in a God who only seemed to be there when things were going wrong? But then, I realized that life doesn't happen to us, it happens for us. All the challenges we face, all the scars we bear, they are not mere marks of pain, but they are medals that testify to our strength and resilience. They are reminders that we have been through the fire and emerged stronger.
I learned that we must forgive those who have wronged us, even when we can't forget what they did. We must repent for our own sins, acknowledge our mistakes, and strive to be better. We must remember that we are all products of our past, but we don't have to be victims of it. We can choose to rise above it, to learn from it, and to use it to become better versions of ourselves.
I learned from Jesus, who never exalted himself over anyone else. He bore all our sins on the cross, and in doing so, he showed us the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. He showed us that we can fall, we can make mistakes, but we can also rise again, stronger and more resilient. We can love each other through our struggles, through our mistakes, and through our triumphs.We can create heaven on earth, right here, right now. We can love like Jesus loves, a love that is selfless, forgiving, and boundless. Remember, you were created for a purpose. You are loved. You matter. Wear each scar like the medal it is.
Life happens for you, not to you. Embrace the challenges, for they are setting you up to bring out the best in you.

Blessings & Love