Embracing Grace
posted on July 16th, 2010 / by Amy Ford / 28 CommentsIn March of 2008, God planted a seed in my heart. As I was worshipping God in the midst of thousands attending a women’s conference, everyone in the sanctuary seemed to disappear, and it was just me and God in the room. God began giving me flashbacks of myself as a scared, young, single, pregnant girl that felt so alone and isolated and unsure of my future. Then the flashes evolved into me being a happy mom, full of life and God’s love, and even me throwing parties and celebrating life.
As the conference ended and the attendees began to exit, I was still trying to process what the Lord had shown me and what it could mean. I found my friend Salina, and we found a quiet corner to exchange our “glory stories.” As I began to explain what had happened, she had this astonished look on her face. She said that God had told her at the same conference something similar, sitting 4 seats down from me: to help the “mommies and the babies.”
Over the next 5 months, we met with pastors, went through training classes and planned out how to start a group that could help young, single and pregnant girls with physical and spiritual support. We prayed about a name and narrowed it down to one: Embrace Grace. It seemed to capture our hearts of what we wanted to show the girls … God’s amazing grace and that this is not the end of their lives, it is just the beginning. We started researching curriculum and soon realized that there were not any resources specific for a new single and pregnant mom. One day, Salina googled “Embrace Grace” and found a book by Liz Curtis Higgs that is called, you guessed it, Embrace Grace. It was exactly what we were looking for, simple to understand yet full of depth and a beautiful picture of who God is.
In August of 2008, we began our first class with 3 amazing young girls. They had a mixture of emotions but mainly shame, guilt and fear. Every week new layers seemed to peel away and they began to have a little sparkle in their eye again, especially when we talked about the baby. We would ask what they were having, what names they picked out, and they would always smile.
Towards the end of the semester, the girls were blessed with a giant group baby shower. Women’s Life Groups at Gateway Church all joined together and purchased new baby items, big and small, and came together for a time of celebration of life. The girls were overwhelmed that women that they had never met poured out so much love. It was definitely a day to remember!
We also had a special surprise Princess Day. The girls came dressed comfortably but with a special dress to change into later. They relaxed and had some “royal” snacks and watched “A Night with the King” in a theater room. We then surprised them with a team of hairstylists, make-up artists and massage therapists, and then the girls began a rotation of looking and feeling beautiful! After they were finished, we went out to a fire pit and threw out hurts and wounds that the girls had shared and were freed from during the semester. We also took communion. We then finished the evening by serving the girls a 4-course meal with filet mignon on fine china and a beautifully set table fit for a princess!
We have special Testimony nights where women come and share their story of how they have walked and overcome where these young girls are walking. This provides hope and plants dreams in their hearts. We finish the semester out with reflection and a celebration of the blessings that God has given them and their babies.
We have had 3 more semesters with a total of 20 mommies who have gone through the class. Each girl has such a unique story. Many have had a lot of rejection and abandonment. Most of the “boys” run away and some even change their phone number. But then we’ve had a few that got married before the baby came and they raise the baby together as husband and wife. Each girl is special and beautiful.
One girl came on the first day and still had not completely decided if she was keeping her baby. She was thinking about abortion because she was so scared and didn’t know how she could raise a baby alone. We told her about the class and invited her, but she was certain it was not a place for her. We kept praying that she would come and just try it. On the first day of class, we had a knock on the door and it was her. I’ll never forget her face on that day. She had colored her hair a bright pink color, her nose was pierced and she was one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen. She kept looking down and avoided making eye contact. She sat through the class barely saying a word. As the semester went on, she kept coming back every week and eventually started opening up a little more. She was very quiet for the most part but when she spoke, everyone listened. Her words were always so powerful and poetic. One day, after she gave birth to her baby girl, and I was watching her as she loved on the baby and was talking to her, I asked her, “Can you believe how not even a year ago, you were so quiet and so scared of the future, and now how happy you are and how God turned everything around for good?” She replied, “When I first found out I was pregnant, I was so sad and I thought how could God let this happen to me? And now I am just so happy, and I think, how could God let this happen to me? How could he bless me so much with this beautiful gift?” This once shy and quiet girl has now shared her testimony to new girls starting the class and has made an impact on all the lives she has touched.
Another girl in our group had a serious boyfriend, and they had a little baby boy together. When her baby was about 9 months old, she found out she was pregnant again. She told her boyfriend and exactly one week later, he died of a drug overdose. Her heart was broken, and her dreams of a family together were shattered. Not only did she have one small baby to care for, she was now carrying another miracle inside her, but this time, she was doing it alone. She had a lot of fears and worries for her future but she came every week and her hope was rising. She had a quiet strength about her and through her heartache, God revealed Himself to her in amazing ways in dreams and visions. We all marveled at what God was showing her. She went on to have another baby boy that she named after his daddy and her little family is leaning and trusting in God.
One special girl went through our course that made the strong and courageous choice of placing her baby up for adoption and blessing a family that had prayed for many years for a child. Her decision touched and inspired me so much. We celebrated her decision to choose life for her baby and threw her a party. A Gateway women’s group and others donated gift cards, worship CD’s, books, clothing, jewelry and even money to help her with a fresh start. Women who had an adoption story attended the party. Either they had given their baby up for adoption years ago, or they had adopted kids themselves or had family members that were adopted. Each shared their story and ended with a thank you to this girl that chose life. It was a beautiful time!
Some of the “Thank You’s” that have come in are so beautiful.
“Every Monday night changes my life a little bit more. Embrace Grace helped me realize first that God’s door would always be open to me. That he is waiting for me to embrace the things He has freely given to me. I began to develop my relationship with God very soon after that, and I immediately felt a peace that felt so good. I was drawn to read my Embrace Grace book, I felt like there were scriptures that were written just for me. I would even go back and re-read, like ‘Did it really just say that?!’ Testimony night was probably one of the most amazing nights of my life. I cannot begin to express the way it felt to hear everyone else’s encouraging stories and words. I left there feeling so empowered. Like, ‘God is on my side, and He is never going to leave. And one day I will have a testimony and I’m gonna change someone’s life too.’ I cannot wait until the day when I can make other girls in my situation feel as though I felt that night. “Embrace Grace” helped us all embrace the forgiveness that God has freely granted to us. We bound ourselves in chains for the last time and then we freed ourselves. We have a completely blank slate, and we can start fresh. That feels so good.” ~Brittani
“Joining Embrace Grace has been the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. It’s truly opened my eyes to more doors in my life. I have gained many new friendships and a deeper love for God and I now know that he does hear my prayers. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me and my daughter.”
~Chrissy
“Before I stumbled upon “Embrace Grace” my life was full of hurt, anger, resentment, and lies. You wouldn’t even recognize the girl that is before you because I wore such a cloak of hurt, and Satan had destroyed me … almost. But then came this class. The women opened their hearts and doors to me, and made me feel comfort, love, support, and so much more. These past 3months I have become the woman of God that I used to be. I pray, I worship, I sing, I love, I comfort, and I am filled with joy.” ~Loren
“Oh my goodness. I don’t even know where to start! “Embrace Grace” has been the biggest blessing in my life so far. Before I joined the group, I was thinking about giving my baby up for adoption … I’m SO glad I didn’t. “Embrace Grace” has changed me so much, I appreciate everything I have now because of it. All of the women that have talked to me, and shared their love for me are some of the most amazing women I have met. Total strangers opened their heart for me and my baby, and it’s one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me”. ~Jordan
We are excited about what God is doing in this Life Group. Salina and I are so blessed to be a part of these girls’ lives at such a pivotal time. Through this group, lives have been transformed, chains have been broken, heads are held a little higher, smiles are brighter, and lives are being saved. God has worked miracles in these beautiful and lovely girls.
To request more information about the group or for volunteer information, email Amy Ford at EmbraceGrace@Live.com.
Amy Ford has been married 12 years and is the busy mom of three beautiful children: Jess (11), Mackenzie (8), and Landry Rose (3). Amy co-leads a Gateway group for single, pregnant women called Embrace Grace. Her passion is to reach out to the broken-hearted mommies and cheer them on and also has the added bonus of getting to snuggle on some sweet babies. She loves to sing as loud as she can (when no one is around), love on her kids, throw parties for her friends and go on date nights with her man.
This has been the most refreshing, honest, loving, merciful, and beautiful group of women I've met!
Thanks Amy for all you do- you are inspiring as I always say!
Love,
Jen
Thank you for following God's heart. It has brought me such joy to donate and pray for this group from a distance. Even though I've never been face-to-face involved at all – Embrace Grace holds a special place in my heart. I love the Facebook updates, calls to prayer, and the baby shower lists so I can go shopping! I know it takes much prayer and sacrifice on your part. Thank you for your selflessness!
Wow!! I am so touched by this post! It's so amazing how God wants to use our REAL stories and experiences to minister to others. Amy and Salina were obedient to the calling God placed on them and they are reaching many, many women and the effects of what they are doing is changing families and generations!!!
Oh, Amy! When I think of the lives changed, the lives saved, and the MANY lives impacted forever because of your ministry…THRILLING! Bless you for catching the vision I had when I wrote "Embrace Grace," and for sharing my book with these dear girls who are discovering how BIG and LOVING and FORGIVING our God truly is. Carry on, sis!
How excellent are God's plans and His appointments of ministry . . . I'm so proud of you and your willingness to respond to God's leading and His plan for such a special and timely ministry outreach. I'm so thankful God gave you and Ryan to each other . . . He has grand and marvelous plans in store for you both.
Amy Thank You for sharing your heart and being obedient to what God has called you to do . That is an inspiration in it's self . Embrace Grace is touching so many lives Thank You Amy and Salina for Blessing these sweet families and how it has grown God is so Pleased with his Girls !
This really made me cry! So proud of you! If every one of us opened our hearts God would reveal to us how we each can help! This is what this testimony tells me. You have shown unfailing love and strength in ministry these are the things that go on forever! Love you with all my heart1
Thank you for your willingness to open your heart and follow Gods plans. I feel so blessed to know you and to watch you grow in the Lord. I believe God has wonderful plans for you. These girls lives will be blessed by everything that you all give to them and how you show them that God is loving and forgiving. May Gods love refresh you each and every day.
Loved reading about the "birth" of the ministry God has given you! And the testimonies brought tears to my eyes. Love your heart! Love being involved in any way I can. Love you!
Amy, thank you so much for sharing about EG, I love watching what God is doing in the hearts of your girls! I know you are having an enormous impact and it's so inspiring! Thank you for letting me be a part of testimony night, Eg has been such a blessing!
I am so glad that you followed and obeyed the path God laid before you! It truly was encouragement for me to do what God told me to do. Everyday is an exciting as God continues to open doors. Thank you for being such a Godly example and a best friend for life!!
What a sweet testimony!! The “butterfly effect” of this group will create a positive impact in many lives for many generations!
Just so beautiful. You are such a blessing.
To Amy and Salina: THANK YOU both for motivating, empowering, encouraging and most of all loving each and every new mom's life you have touched and changed for the better. They are all truly blessed more than they realize and now each of them have a new extended family, friends and support for themselves and thier babies as they grow up together that they wouldn't have had without your generosity, love and willingness to put your own family time on hold the support them, including opening your hearts and homes to all of them.
I am so proud of the work that you guys are doing. You are making the name of Jesus famous amongst those who may not think they deserve the love of God. You are so warm, so welcoming and engaging. I am honored to call you my dear friend. Look forward to spending some "quality time" together in a few days!
Amy,
Embrace Grace is one of my favorite ministries! Thank you for being obedient to the calling that the Lord placed in your heart. To have a place for these precious women to go and feel God's amazing grace is such a sweet gift. I pray this ministry keeps reaching many women in need!
Blessings,
Maree
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your ministry and your heart. You are so beautiful inside and out. I love how you lead with such grace and love! you are a great leader! <3
I love this story and post for so many reasons. Besides all of the lives this ministry is saving and propelling I just think it is so awesome how it all started with something God birthed in you and your friend and your obedience to step out. I can't imagine this ministry staying local. It's way too cool and anointed.
Rebecca
Amy, thank you for showing us how much God truly loves us and how big of BLESSINGS our sweet babies are! Thank you for making us feel loved when we needed it most, i will FOREVER love you and look up to you. So proud of you for everything you are doing!
Oh how I LOVE this ministry! Even as an outsider looking in, Embrace Grace has touched my life in such amazing ways. Watching God move in and through you, my beautiful friend, has challenged and inspired me to go deeper in my walk with the Lord. Your obedience to the Lord has brought such freedom to the lives of so many! As Christine Caine says "we need to get our big butts out of God's way" and you have done just that! Thank you for your obedience to Him! I am honored to call you my friend.
This is such a beautiful ministry. I love the heart of it and how you encourage these young women and offer them hope.
SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!! You are a walking testimony of His amazing and lovely grace. I am as well! I had a baby right out of high school and she is now 19! I've never regretted my decision. Thanks for sharing your experience with being touched by grace. Now you are able to touch others with the same grace that you have received! Man, I love God. He is truly the greatest!
AHHhhhhh! I get tears every time i read this. Long story short Embrace Grace is the BEST thing that has EVER happened to me and words cannot describe how much I love and care for all my new found besties!!!
I have wanted to adopt since I was a little girl. I am now 27. For years I have believed in the beauty of adoption and seen God's purposes in it. BUT as a woman who hopes to be an adoptive mama one day, can I just say…what a seriously, seriously, seriously awesome ministry you have!! You are helping young women recognize, keep, and tend to the precious gifts of life God sent them. What hope!!!!!!!!
Amy~ Wow. What a gift you have given these girls. I love that not only were you and your friend sensitive to God's calling, but also prayed about how you might put that into action. I can tell that the ministry you do has extremely changed lives forever. There are little people in this world because of your ministry. Pray a special blessing on you and all the volunteers. Pray God would continue to bring girls that need this safe place. Bless you for all that you do!
What an inspiration you are not only to the EG mommies and babies, but to those like me who see how God used your testimony to make such a big difference in the lives of others! It’s amazing how He worked out all the details after you obeyed; from giving Salina the same vision, to providing the baby shower gifts through Gateway women’s groups. You & Salina are an amazing duo! You both are creating quite a spiritual legacy in His kingdom & will be richly blessed for it!
I wanted to THANK YOU so much for writing for us and sharing these beautiful stories of how God wants to lavish His kindness and grace on these ladies lives. Thank you for being obedient … nothing we go through in our own lives is wasted … you took a struggle in your own life and through God it has become many's victory:)
Lord may this kind of grace and love spread like wild fire across the nation! Babies are being saved and so are their Moms!
Great Love!
~Ris
I wish I understood more about Gods plan in my life when I was younger I had an abortion. I wish I had the support and info I now have. I may have made a better choice. To be educated and have that support. You guys are great.