Either you celebrate life or you don’t. The same people saying, “Don’t get an abortion” can’t also be saying, “What an awful girl; how dare she be pregnant.”
To any pregnancy, you can have one of two reactions — blessing or cursing.
To curse is to speak poorly of, to shame, to condemn. Do you really think that how is how Jesus would approach that person and their unborn child? I don’t think so.
To be pregnant is not a sin. Yes, if she is not married, she committed a sin some number of months ago, but let him who hasn’t sinned in the last few months throw the first stone.
The Bible says that children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). No matter their parents’ marital status. If we’re going to be pro-life and celebrate unborn babies, then we must stick to that in all situations, regardless of the mother’s circumstance. In fact, we should *especially* celebrate life in situations where it would have been “easier” to abort.
Are unwed mothers sinners? Well, unless they were raped, they committed a sin, but that doesn’t make them a worse sinner than everyone else.
Gossip is also a sin — just saying.
On the positive side, are they brave? Yes. Did they risk their reputation to save their child? If they’re a teen in a conservative, religious area or a high-performing, academically focused, well-to-do area, possibly from a family who has always seemed to “have it all together” — yes.
And that is a true loving choice — the kind of love to which we all should aspire.
To make her live in a middle ground of purgatorial reactions — we are shaming you now but we would shame you worse if you got an abortion but it’s better [that you didn't / if you don’t] but we’re still going to look down on you, at least until you give birth — is an ongoing burden that no pregnant woman, especially a teenager, should have to bear.
Ya feel?
PS — Shoutout to all the pregnancy service centers who are doing an amazing job caring for women and girls facing unplanned pregnancies. These Christian clinics, found nationwide, provide women and girls in crisis with medical care, resources for adoption, diapers and baby clothes if needed, and more. These donation-supported centers are Planned Parenthood’s nemesis — the solution for unplanned pregnancies that they hope you never hear about. Pregnancy service centers are one of America’s best-kept secrets. Raise awareness.
Also, if you care about this cause like I do, then here’s something practical you can do: Look up a pregnancy service center near you and contact them to find out how you can help. Do they need financial donations; used or new baby clothes; social media publicity; or maybe volunteers? These organizations are great ways that you can help support women and girls facing unplanned pregnancies. No one has to go it alone.
Excellent points! Wise and compassionate!