Fallen Grace

by Sadeqa Johnson

“Where does it say in the Bible that having a baby out of wedlock is wrong?”

“Psalms 127:3–5: ‘Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward.’ Mama.” “Don’t you quote Bible verses to me, after what you did to us.” “I had a baby, Mama. I didn’t steal, I didn’t cheat. I didn’t even commit adultery.”

“All that singing and carrying on you do every week in the name of the Lord, and you’re going to put your flesh and blood out on the street because you’re afraid of church gossipers?”

In the Bible, one of the Psalms says, ‘Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.’ I never hurt as bad as the night I went into labor, but when morning came, so did my baby. I named her Joy.”

“Don’t you let them win, Bubbles. You’ve earned this. Go claim what’s yours.”