Ep 119 // A Birth Mom’s Brave Surrender: Sydney Curtin on Faith, Identity & God’s Plan

In this deeply moving episode of Kingdom Life Coaching, Megan Nilsen welcomes Sydney Curtin to share her journey of faith, trauma, healing, and adoption. From a turbulent childhood marked by addiction and loss to a profound moment of surrender in a coat closet, Sydney’s testimony is a testament to God’s redemptive power.

Sydney walks us through the emotional complexity of placing her daughter for adoption, the grace-filled experience of open adoption, and the deep trust in God’s plan that sustained her. She offers wisdom for navigating hard decisions, parenting with purpose, and holding tight to your identity in Christ when everything around you feels uncertain.

Whether you’re a birth mom, adoptive parent, or someone navigating grief, identity, or big life decisions—this conversation is filled with spiritual insights, courage, and practical truth.

Topics We Cover:

  • How trauma shaped Sydney’s early years and faith
  • A coat closet conversion: meeting Jesus in an unlikely place
  • Making faith-based decisions in times of crisis
  • The emotional realities of open adoption
  • Sydney’s hospital moment of surrender: “She is God’s before she is mine.”
  • The importance of identity, legacy, and the words spoken over us
  • Introducing Courageous Considerations—a guide for expectant mothers
  • Why parenting is about stewardship, not ownership
  • Trusting God with your children, your future, and your healing

Powerful Quotes:

“I gave my life to Christ in a coat closet.”

“She is God’s before she is mine.”

“Don’t make permanent decisions in temporary circumstances.”

“Open adoption is not co-parenting—it’s courageous trust.”

“God never wastes a moment in the kingdom.”

Reflection Questions:

  1. Have you ever faced a life-altering decision that required deep trust in God?
  2. What words have been spoken over you that shaped your identity—are they true?
  3. In what ways might God be calling you to trust Him more deeply right now?

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Megan:

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