I Met 17 Year Old Me for Coffee

I met 17 year old me for coffee. 

She was on time. I was late. She ordered a white mocha. I ordered a caramel iced latte with oat milk and cold foam. 

She wore baggy clothes and had dark circles under her eyes. I wore my ministry sweatshirt and shorts. 

She said "I have a secret."

I said "I know."

& she wept hard.

She said "I saw my world crumble before my eyes. They are disappointed. I'm a joke. I don't know what's going to happen."

I held her hand and smiled. I told her to keep her eyes on Jesus...to keep falling in love with Him. I told her that the little one inside her belly would save her life and look just like her. I told her that baby would be her best friend in the world that taught her to fight. I told her she's not a joke - she's a daughter of Christ. 

I told her "You think your world is crumbling but that's the only way God can bring beauty from ash. & Sister, your life is beautiful."