A Young Mom’s Desperate Prayer
24 years ago, Sierra chose to make an adoption plan for her baby. At a service at her church for mothers, she shared with the congregation why she chose adoption for her unborn baby. Her testimony is powerful! You can watch it here.
Sierra and her boyfriend found out she was pregnant when she was just 14 years old. They had no clue what to do, where to go, or how to tell anybody. One night, in total desperation, she prayed for the first time. She shares, “I pled to God that my secret would be revealed so this could all just go away.” The next morning, her mom discovered the truth when Sierra wasn’t able to button her pants anymore. At that point, Sierra realized that God had answered her prayer.
She canceled an appointment for an abortion because she just couldn’t go through with it. Because Sierra and her boyfriend were too young to raise a baby on their own, they began looking into adoption.
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and don’t know where to turn, you don’t have to face it alone. Lifetime Christian Adoption’s counselors are available 24 hours a day — you can call or text 1-800-923-6784 anytime, day or night.
Choosing the Right Family — and Staying Connected
“Now I know it was God who answered my huge prayer, and who led us to choose the right family for [our daughter] and to not abort her,” Sierra says. Today, Sierra and her daughter’s father have not only met her, but they also know her and have a relationship with her.
That ongoing relationship is a beautiful example of open adoption — a plan that allows birth parents and adoptive families to stay connected through visits, letters, and photos. Open adoption means that choosing adoption for your child doesn’t mean saying goodbye forever. It means choosing a loving family for your child while still being a part of their life in a meaningful way. If you’d like to see what that could look like for you, you can browse waiting Christian families right now.
Free Support for Women Considering Adoption
Sierra faced her pregnancy largely alone and in secret. Today, young women in her situation have access to free support that Sierra didn’t know existed. Through Lifetime, you can receive quality counseling from a licensed counselor, assistance with maternity clothes and household items through the Birthmother Blessings program, and referrals for medical, legal, and housing needs — all at no cost to you. The Lifetime Adoption Foundation even offers college scholarships, because your future matters, too.
Watch Sierra’s Testimony
If you’ve ever felt like your situation was too far gone, too complicated, or too shameful to bring to God — Sierra’s testimony is for you. In this video, she stands before her church congregation and speaks with raw honesty about the fear and isolation she felt as a 14-year-old facing an unplanned pregnancy. She talks about the moment she first turned to God in desperation, how He answered in a way she never expected, and the peace she found in choosing adoption for her daughter.
What makes Sierra’s story so powerful is not just what she chose, but why. She didn’t have all the answers. She was scared and young and didn’t know where to turn. But she trusted God with something impossibly hard — and two decades later, she has a relationship with the daughter she lovingly placed with a Christian family. Her testimony is a reminder that choosing life and choosing adoption can be an act of profound faith, not defeat.
Whether you’re personally facing an unplanned pregnancy or you simply need to be reminded that God works in impossible situations, we encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it here.
The Story of a Mother’s Love from Magnolia Church on Vimeo.
Walking This Road With Faith — and Support
This young woman’s testimony goes to show you the love that the Lord has for each and every one of us. At Lifetime Christian Adoption, we understand that this decision carries not just legal and practical weight, but deep spiritual weight as well. Our team of adoption professionals shares that faith, and we’re here to walk alongside you — whatever you decide. If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, seek Him out and pray for the right answer. And know that you don’t have to seek it alone.
Call or text Lifetime Christian Adoption at 1-800-923-6784 — we’re here for you, 24 hours a day.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 28, 2017, and has since been updated.
As Vice President of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.
