“How did I birth such an amazing child out of this scandal?” This is the question I found myself asking over and over for the last 3+ years. But you see, God has a way of shining light into the very places where we feel the most lost. One day, sitting alone in the quiet of my room, overwhelmed by the weight of that question, I opened my Bible to John 1. And just like a light bulb flicking on in the darkness, revelation hit me—not gently, but powerfully.
Reading: John 1:43–51 — Key Verse (46): Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
When I read Nathanael’s question, I had to pause and ask myself: Am I limiting the hand of God? Am I standing in the middle of the wreckage of my past and whispering, “Can anything good come out of this mess? Out of me?” But then I remember: Nazareth was considered nothing. A place no one expected greatness to come from. And yet Jesus—Lord, Savior, Redeemer—came straight out of what people called “nothing good.” And when I look at my own story, I hear God whispering the same truth.
My “scandal” was everything my parents tried so hard to protect me from. They raised me in church, sent me to Catholic school, supported me emotionally, and gave me the very best they could. I’m the firstborn and only daughter—just two of us, one boy and one girl. No competition, no chaos. Life was simple, secure, peaceful, protected, and very sheltered. And for years, I tried to keep myself on that safe path, even after my world shifted in the wake of their divorce. But then, one poor choice here, another poor choice there… one bad encounter here, another bad encounter there… and suddenly I hit rock bottom before I even had the chance to catch my breath. By the time I saw the truth of where I was and what was happening, the damage had already been done— I was the wife of a man I did not even know, and the mother of our unborn child.
1. JESUS CAME OUT OF “IMPOSSIBLE” CIRCUMSTANCES
I do not mean that my story (or yours) is remotely similar to Mary’s in any way. But, before we question whether good can come out of our mess, we must look at the circumstances Jesus Himself came out of:
A) Conceived by a virgin who was dragged for it
Mary was misunderstood, judged, and questioned. People whispered behind her back: “Nothing holy could come out of this scandal.”
B) Born in a manger because the inn was full
The King of Kings entered the world in the most unimpressive, uncomfortable place. You mean to tell me God couldn’t shut down the entire inn— the way celebrities shut down hospital wings when they’re giving birth? Of course He could have. But He chose the humble place.
C) Hidden to avoid Herod’s massacre
From day one, there was danger, trauma, and turbulence. And again—God could have stopped this whole scandal. But instead, He let it happen and sent angels to warn Mary and Joseph, telling them to run and hide with Jesus. And yet God’s plan still marched forward without missing a beat.
If Jesus could come out of conditions like that, why do we doubt what God can do with our situations?
2. GOD SAW YOU BEFORE THE PAIN EVER HAPPENED
Then comes verse 48… the part that absolutely wrecks me.
Nathanael asked Jesus, “How do You know me?” Jesus replied: “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
WAIT A MINUTE!
So before I walked into that toxic relationship WITH BOTH EYES OPEN— God saw me? Before I fell. Before I ignored every red flag. Red flags the size of Times Square billboards, lit up like a New Year’s Eve countdown, and screaming “RUN— FAST & NOW!”
Before I conceived a child out of wedlock. Before my heart shattered. Before life forced me to confront my patterns— He SAW me. He knew what would happen. He knew the pain would break me… and then break me open. He knew it would push me straight back into His arms. He knew it would prune me, transform me, humble me, and rebirth me into the woman of God—and mother—I am today.
When I was a prodigal daughter, forgetting I was the daughter of a Mighty King— HE SAW ME. And even though His heart broke for me, He allowed it, because I NEEDED to grow:
- for myself
- for the precious little life I was carrying
- and for His Kingdom
My God!!!
3. GOD CAN BRING LIONS OUT OF BROKEN PLACES
Jesus is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. And Judah? The same Judah who helped sell his brother Joseph out of jealousy (Genesis 37:26–27).
Out of betrayal, came a lineage. Out of dysfunction, came a Savior. Out of sin and jealousy, came the Lion.
Tell me again that God can’t draw glory from ashes?
4. GOD STILL DOES THE SAME TODAY
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8
He still moves. He still redeems. He still brings beauty out of the worst places. So have you ever considered…
That the child born from:
- rape
- deceit
- sin
- heartbreak
- or what you called a “mistake”
…may become a Lion of the tribe of the very person who wronged you?
That God may raise that child as a:
- generational curse-breaker
- warrior
- testimony
- world-changer
5. ALL THINGS—EVERYTHING—WORKS TOGETHER FOR GOOD
“For ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28
Not one thing. Not some things. ALL THINGS. Yes, it hurts. Oh, trust me—it hurts badly. But if you truly belong to God… Rejoice anyway.
Because: “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent.” — Numbers 23:19
If He promised restoration, it’s coming.
If He promised healing, it’s coming.
If He promised joy, it’s coming.
If He promised purpose, it’s coming.
He ALWAYS holds true to His word. Again, I say—REJOICE!
Because my child— like your child— could be the lion/lioness of the tribe of…
