"You are welcome," he said.

"Who, me?" I turned around to see if there was another person behind me, but there

was none.

With passion evident in his eyes and a blooming smile, he continued, "Yes, you are

welcome."

"You are welcome," he

"Who, me?" I turned around to see if there was another person behind me, but

was

******Few weeks before*****

Janeth and I had been in a relationship for about a year when we found out she was

pregnant.

I was a poor orphan boy from a very remote village, raised by my grandmother. I had

put in a lot of effort to appear as a wealthy, trendy guy that came from a stable family.

Only now, I realize all that didn't pay off one bit.

"I'm scared, Hun. What should I do?" Janeth asked me.

"Nothing, nothing!", I yelled. "Listen, you're not going to be the first babe. It's okay.

We're not ready to have a child. Look at me, look at me. We have nothing to do with it.

We aren't prepared."

With tears in her eyes, Janeth looked at me in desperation. I was pitiful towards her.

Deep down in my heart, I loved her, but I wasn't ready to be a father. There wasn't a

better alternative in my head at that particular moment than to abort.

As a third-year college student majoring in laboratory medicine, all I could afford was a

room at a dilapidated, rundown building, home to the city's gangsters. So I persuaded

My Janeth to come to this place, for I heard from one of my friends, of a doctor in the

neighborhood who'd abort just for a penny.

"We're together in this babe. It's going to be okay," I said, trying to comfort her.

"Janeth!" We were brought to earth from our conversation when someone called her

name. She looked like a nurse, although I wasn't sure I could call her that.

"It's your turn now Janeth," the woman said.

We held each other's hands, our foreheads touched. I couldn't say I was praying.

"I don't know what I'm doing, James," she said in a very low voice while standing.

*****An hour passed****

"Sorry, she's dead. She lost a lot of blood", the nurse told me.

I can't describe it, I can't tell it all, it just felt like a sword pierced my heart, and a saw

was cutting through my stomach, through all my insides.

*****The mourning was a solemn occasion.*****

"She was a good girl, singing in the church choir. May her soul rest in peace. Amen"

said the pastor, as her body was taken to the grave.

Amen, Amen (very low music 🎼)

I had lost her and my son/daughter. I don't know if he/she would ever accept me as a

father in the afterlife.

***Few days after mourning***

It was a family meeting, and Janeth's father spoke first after I told them the whole story,

he said,

"We, as a family, know that what you have taken from us is precious, more than any

gem in this world. It was a very difficult moment for us, but we thank God. Through this

moment, our faith has been strengthened. We have come to really appreciate what was

done by Christ Jesus, Our Savior at Calvary. It gave us some realization on what it

takes for Our Father, Our God, to give His One and Only Son, so that we could be

counted righteous though we didn't deserve it and would never earn it. We know now

that love is costly, and although it is nothing compared to His longing to save us, to

redeem us, to set us free, from sin, guilt, shame, heartbreak, condemnation, It still cost

God so much to show His Love towards us. Son, listen, we forgive you, and on behalf of

my remaining daughter, Jackline, and her mother, my wife, I want you to know that We

love you so much"

Today, allow me to introduce to you a Man and God indeed, His name is Jesus. There is

no way this world can give you everlasting pleasure or peace, only this Great Man is

more than enough. The moment you believe what He came to do for this world, which is

to save the human race and restore the intimate relationship with Our Almighty God,

then my son, you are saved. Again, there's no more shame, no more guilt, no more

heartbreak, no more condemnation, and that's what we really want for you son, that's

what God, your Heavenly Father wants for you too. To believe in the wonderful work

that Jesus has done for you, that is what being born again is all about, the new horizon.

Jesus is here, and He's desperate to make you His.

I couldn't help myself but cry. I didn't think I deserved such mercy. I couldn't even forgive

myself. I just cried, face down. Then, I was engulfed in a passionate hug from the whole

family, they were crying with me and praying for me at the same time. I felt like a burden

had been lifted off my chest. Their forgiveness was the closure I needed. I could move

on now, try to forgive myself, and make a better life for myself. I hugged them back,

feeling their love and acceptance.

After we all calmed down, Janeth's mother turned to me and asked, "James, are you

ready to give your life to Jesus?" Her eyes filled with love and a longing for me to be

saved".

At that moment, I knew that was exactly what I needed - to find Jesus and the peace

that comes with knowing him. Without hesitation, I got down on my knees and lifted my

hands in surrender. Janeth's mother led me through a short prayer, and I felt an

overwhelming sense of peace wash over me.

After we finished praying, Mama Janeth stood up and wiped away her tears. "We're so

happy to have you as a part of our family now," she said. "We've been praying for a

baby boy for so long, and God has brought you to us. James, you're the son we've been

longing for. Please, accept this as your home."

Janeth's father stood up and motioned for everyone's attention. Janeth's mother and

sister joined him as he spoke.

"You are welcome," he said, looking at me directly. "You're welcome to our family, son."

I turned around to see if there was anyone else, but there wasn't. I turned back to look

at Janeth's father, his eyes glowed with tenderness.

"Yes, James. You are welcome here. This is now your home. You are no longer an orphan. You are one of us."