I've been meeting regularly with a young pregnant couple for Resource Classes. They are going through the lessons in our class on Child Development. Today we were going to go over the lesson entitled, The Role of the Father.
Since I met this young couple, the father of the baby has been at every appointment. He has shown great interest about preparing for his new role as a father. I'm not sure that even with the best of preparations, anyone is totally and adequately quite ready for parenthood. But, I know that trying to learn about the things that will equip you for the job is very important. After all, isn't parenting the most important job of all? You are impacting a human life. Your influence can be great, good, fair, poor, bad, and even evil. Your role as a parent is critical to how a child develops in every aspect of life - physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and spiritually. The responsibility is indeed great.
Now I, of course am not a father, so I am already at a disadvantage in teaching this lesson. Oh for some men to be involved in the ministry of Pregnancy Resource Centers across the country! But until we have some male volunteers at the Center, I have young first time fathers coming with hungry hearts to learn about fatherhood. So it is at this venue where I trust my God to help me discuss The Role of the Father in such a way the new dad leaves not only understanding his responsibility before God, but desires to put his hands to the plow and do the job!
Today's lesson was one of the best lessons I have had the privilege of teaching. This is God's grace. I sensed God's Spirit with me and drawing the young man. We had a great conversation. It was really interesting observing the young mother take all this in. She was quiet, but you could tell she was listening very closely. I believe The Role of the Father is best exemplified when one has entered into a real relationship with God, the Heavenly Father. This lesson became the segue to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with this couple. It was one experience at the Pregnancy Resource Center I will most likely never forget. It is my prayer that this couple, this young new father and this young new mother will never forget it either. I pray that they will embrace the Words of Life they heard this day and enter into a forever relationship with my Heavenly Father!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Hope for a Brave Young Woman
She had such a sweet spirit about her. She was from Africa and had no family here with her. She was a student at one of the local colleges and was about to graduate. She came to the center with an untimely pregnancy and her boyfriend told her to abort the baby. She couldn't even consider the idea so she did a very brave thing...she broke up with her boyfriend and came to see her baby via ultrasound.
The ultrasound showed an 11 week old baby full of movement and a strong heartbeat. The young girl's countenance beamed like the sun.
Not many young women can do such a brave thing as that. Many are too insecure and frightened to stand strong under that kind of pressure. But this girl did. She said that she could never consider an abortion because "it would be like murder." And she told me that she could "never live with that haunting her all her life." Wow, this girl knew exactly what abortion meant and she knew it involved taking a huge emotional risk that could stay with her for the rest of her life. I told her that she was thinking very clearly and that I thought she was very strong. I told her that her courageous spirit would be an asset in her role as a young single mother. I also told her that she did not have to stand alone. Jesus Christ would stand with her and help her on this journey.
Our conversation continued and became quite interesting. She said she did not want to just embrace the "religion" of Christianity. She liked all the religions. She said she had many kinds of friends of different faiths and that she considered herself a "spiritualist." Hmm...maybe she was a little too brave. Maybe she was a little too strong and independent.
I asked her to consider something that Jesus once said. I told her that He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no one comes to the Father but through Me." I encouraged her to be brave enough to ask Jesus to reveal to her what He meant by that. I told her that I believed since she was a "spiritualist" that she was therefore a seeker and a seeker of truth. I told her that not all religions were equal, nor did they all lead to the same destination. I encouraged her to think about what Jesus said. She said that she would. I asked her if I could pray for her and she reached out to take my hands in hers. I took hold of her hands and prayed that this young woman would be brave enough to take hold of Christ and His Words.
She is coming back for parenting classes and until then I will pray for this girl to be brave enough to see her great need for a Savior. His name is Jesus and as a single mom, she will need Him more than she can possibly imagine.
The ultrasound showed an 11 week old baby full of movement and a strong heartbeat. The young girl's countenance beamed like the sun.
Not many young women can do such a brave thing as that. Many are too insecure and frightened to stand strong under that kind of pressure. But this girl did. She said that she could never consider an abortion because "it would be like murder." And she told me that she could "never live with that haunting her all her life." Wow, this girl knew exactly what abortion meant and she knew it involved taking a huge emotional risk that could stay with her for the rest of her life. I told her that she was thinking very clearly and that I thought she was very strong. I told her that her courageous spirit would be an asset in her role as a young single mother. I also told her that she did not have to stand alone. Jesus Christ would stand with her and help her on this journey.
Our conversation continued and became quite interesting. She said she did not want to just embrace the "religion" of Christianity. She liked all the religions. She said she had many kinds of friends of different faiths and that she considered herself a "spiritualist." Hmm...maybe she was a little too brave. Maybe she was a little too strong and independent.
I asked her to consider something that Jesus once said. I told her that He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no one comes to the Father but through Me." I encouraged her to be brave enough to ask Jesus to reveal to her what He meant by that. I told her that I believed since she was a "spiritualist" that she was therefore a seeker and a seeker of truth. I told her that not all religions were equal, nor did they all lead to the same destination. I encouraged her to think about what Jesus said. She said that she would. I asked her if I could pray for her and she reached out to take my hands in hers. I took hold of her hands and prayed that this young woman would be brave enough to take hold of Christ and His Words.
She is coming back for parenting classes and until then I will pray for this girl to be brave enough to see her great need for a Savior. His name is Jesus and as a single mom, she will need Him more than she can possibly imagine.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sixteen and Pregnant
The pregnant sixteen year old girl arrived at the Center with her boyfriend, the father of the baby. They came to go over the first lesson in a series of the Developmental Stages of a Newborn. While other sixteen year old teenagers were busy doing homework or hanging out with friends, they were learning about facts such as, 1) a newborn will sleep most of the day and be awake most of the night, 2) a one month old's eyesight is still developing and only sees objects six inches away, and 3) a baby's birth weight usually doubles by six months of age. Those were just a few of the many things they were being taught, and within a matter of months, would experience firsthand.
I was 26 when I had my first child. At 26, I felt overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising a child. At 26, I felt like I wasn't prepared or mature enough to be a mother. I cannot imagine being pregnant and having a child at the age of sixteen.
As I met with this young girl and young man I asked them if they knew that their lives would be radically different and that having a baby was a really big deal. The carefree life of a teenager was now behind them. It's probable that they don't have any idea what lies ahead. Both were still students in high school. Both were still living at home with their parents. The young man did not have a job. They were in for a major life adjustment.
While I praise the Lord that they have chosen life for their baby, my heart is saddened that they will have to do some growing up very quickly and the life they're romanticizing about with a new born will soon be dispelled with reality. Newborns have a tendency to cry a lot, wake up many times through the night, and keep you very busy. Diapers need changing, bellies need to be filled, and often they just need to be held. Newborns are totally dependent on their parents for their every need. They need a constant watchful and attentive eye. And then comes toddlerhood!
Will these sixteen year olds be ready to offer their child these things while their friends enjoy the American teen life free from the responsibilities of parenthood? One thing is for certain, they will need a lot of encouragement and guidance. It is my hope that they will be humble and teachable. It is my hope that they will realize they have closed the door on their teenage years and have entered into grown up territory. It is my prayer that they look to the Lord to help them be the responsible parents they will need to be.
It has been said that the stats on abortion are decreasing. This is something to rejoice about. It is also being said that the number of teen pregnancies are on the rise. How will the fact that teens, practically babies themselves, having babies affect the fabric of our culture. How will the children of these teen children be raised, really?
It's kind of a scary thought and makes me wonder what we can do to prevent our teens from getting into this situation. How can our teens abstain from the most intimate act when they live in a sex saturated culture full of relativism and without any moral compass? Is it even possible to expect our teens not to have sex?
While it is right for the church to support the woman with an unplanned pregnancy, I feel it is also still the church's responsibility to tow the line on God's standard of sexual activity. If the church does not, then who will? No one wants to be called out as being judgmental when making statements about another person's sexual life and conduct. But, the Lord has already judged such things. We are merely called to be His mouth piece. What is difficult for me is to know and to find the balance of offering support while pointing to godly standards. Anyone can be accepting and supportive of a sinful life. But it takes moral courage to dare to be different and say as Jesus would say, "Go and sin no more." This is not popular even in our American mainstream churches. And this gives me cause for grave concern not to mention the heaviness I feel in my heart.
I want to make a difference at the Pregnancy Resource Center I volunteer at. But I want to make the right kind of difference that would please my Heavenly Father. I know that the Bible says that His commandments are not burdensome. Instead, when obeyed they offer the promise of life, peace and true joy. I must be intentional about letting others know of God's standard. That is part of how I am to love my neighbor. I must also be intentional to encourage them to repent when they live in a way contrary to God's Word. I am not responsible for their response. I am responsible to be faithful to God and leave the rest to Him.
As I get the opportunity to speak into the lives of more and more pregnant young women outside of wedlock this year, I pray for God's unction and Christ's tenderness to go before me.
I was 26 when I had my first child. At 26, I felt overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising a child. At 26, I felt like I wasn't prepared or mature enough to be a mother. I cannot imagine being pregnant and having a child at the age of sixteen.
As I met with this young girl and young man I asked them if they knew that their lives would be radically different and that having a baby was a really big deal. The carefree life of a teenager was now behind them. It's probable that they don't have any idea what lies ahead. Both were still students in high school. Both were still living at home with their parents. The young man did not have a job. They were in for a major life adjustment.
While I praise the Lord that they have chosen life for their baby, my heart is saddened that they will have to do some growing up very quickly and the life they're romanticizing about with a new born will soon be dispelled with reality. Newborns have a tendency to cry a lot, wake up many times through the night, and keep you very busy. Diapers need changing, bellies need to be filled, and often they just need to be held. Newborns are totally dependent on their parents for their every need. They need a constant watchful and attentive eye. And then comes toddlerhood!
Will these sixteen year olds be ready to offer their child these things while their friends enjoy the American teen life free from the responsibilities of parenthood? One thing is for certain, they will need a lot of encouragement and guidance. It is my hope that they will be humble and teachable. It is my hope that they will realize they have closed the door on their teenage years and have entered into grown up territory. It is my prayer that they look to the Lord to help them be the responsible parents they will need to be.
It has been said that the stats on abortion are decreasing. This is something to rejoice about. It is also being said that the number of teen pregnancies are on the rise. How will the fact that teens, practically babies themselves, having babies affect the fabric of our culture. How will the children of these teen children be raised, really?
It's kind of a scary thought and makes me wonder what we can do to prevent our teens from getting into this situation. How can our teens abstain from the most intimate act when they live in a sex saturated culture full of relativism and without any moral compass? Is it even possible to expect our teens not to have sex?
While it is right for the church to support the woman with an unplanned pregnancy, I feel it is also still the church's responsibility to tow the line on God's standard of sexual activity. If the church does not, then who will? No one wants to be called out as being judgmental when making statements about another person's sexual life and conduct. But, the Lord has already judged such things. We are merely called to be His mouth piece. What is difficult for me is to know and to find the balance of offering support while pointing to godly standards. Anyone can be accepting and supportive of a sinful life. But it takes moral courage to dare to be different and say as Jesus would say, "Go and sin no more." This is not popular even in our American mainstream churches. And this gives me cause for grave concern not to mention the heaviness I feel in my heart.
I want to make a difference at the Pregnancy Resource Center I volunteer at. But I want to make the right kind of difference that would please my Heavenly Father. I know that the Bible says that His commandments are not burdensome. Instead, when obeyed they offer the promise of life, peace and true joy. I must be intentional about letting others know of God's standard. That is part of how I am to love my neighbor. I must also be intentional to encourage them to repent when they live in a way contrary to God's Word. I am not responsible for their response. I am responsible to be faithful to God and leave the rest to Him.
As I get the opportunity to speak into the lives of more and more pregnant young women outside of wedlock this year, I pray for God's unction and Christ's tenderness to go before me.
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