Teenage Pregnancy

I recently came across a new book written by Ruth Bell Graham called, I'm Pregnant, Now What? It is amazingly honest and I give Ruth a great deal of credit for coming forward with her story and that of her daughter.

Within the Christian community I've found this to be a silent topic. As Christian parents, we bury our heads in the sand; our kid's sexuality is above reproach. We'd never consider them having sex prior to marriage.

From my own personal experience and pain with my two daughters and three pregnancies prior to marriage, it does happen.  I always spoke to my girls about abstinence, honoring God with their minds and their bodies and many others things.  They chose a different path.

What it has shown me is - I'm not a perfect parent and my daughters are not perfect children.  There is no such thing.  I've been reminded by God that I am a child with many faults and many sins of my own that have been forgiven over and over again.  I always expected perfection from my daughters in their sexuality, but I was not perfect in my choices as a teen either.  Were you?

Parents, love your children through their choices - good or bad.  Remember the grace God has given you when you have been less than obedient.  And - talk about it. Share this with people in your church.  It needs to be talked about more openly and honestly.  Teen pregancy statistics are not all that different with children raised in Christian homes.

I'm Pregnant, Now What? by Ruth Graham