This artwork is a painting of my third and youngest child. It was an unexpected pregnancy, much like the first two. When I found out I was pregnant with him I thought about adoption, and even medical termination. I didn’t want to bring another child into a society that was not so welcoming to unwed mothers and be more of a burden to my family. At that time, I was employed but it was barely enough to sustain my other two children. My mother helps me take care of my children. I was worried about how I was going to support another child.

My family knew about my worries, and that I didn’t want to keep the baby. So, my aunt and cousin invited me to go to church with them, to help me clear my thinking. It has been a while since my last visit to church. I was lost in thought when the priest started his homily, but something pulled me away from the voices in my head to listen to the priest. He mentioned something about the gift of motherhood and the abhorrent act of killing innocent lives (i. e. abortion).

At that moment I thought, God, the almighty, omnipotent, and omniscient one, was reaching out to me. He knew what I was going through, knew all of my fears and doubts. I was afraid of how we would greeted by dysfunctional government systems with regards to the proper welfare of women and children.

But after hearing the homily, I decided to be brave and face the challenges that lie ahead. I am now blessed with another beautiful child, a baby boy and my only son (for now perhaps). My financial worries also disappeared as I was also blessed with a better job that can help me provide well for my children.

My fear of judgement from society, and worry about the lack of social social support from the government, embody verse 12 "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens."

What I have learned from this experience (third pregnancy) and from Ephesians 6:10-20, is that we should always put our trust in the Lord. If we strengthen our faith in Him, He will help us overcome our daily struggles. God will give us the tools and strength to fight our battles in life. Just like it says in verse 16-17 "In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."