 Funny, how some churches can find millions of dollars to spend on new air conditioning, but fail to see the value of supplying teen moms with faith based bible studies that address the unique needs that single teen parents have.
But others not only find the value, they take the time to share how much these resources help.
"Felisha" (not her real name), a teen mom from Arkansas, was one of those individuals.
Her message left on the TastyFaith answering machine shocked the staff. Teens by definition are thankless creatures. Yet this young teen mom who was strapped for time and cash, gave TastyFaith a holler to let us know that these bible studies are helping her and her friends.
Felisha left her phone number, so we called back to get the rest of her story.
Felisha lives in a part of the south where there wasn't much to do other than watch the paint dry and listen to mosquitos buzz. Her mother was strict and very protective. Felisha wasn't allowed to talk to boys on the phone and wanted to save her virginity until she was eighteen. One day, Felisha got the opportunity to go to a boy's home and watch movies. Felisha didn't realize he had more in mind. He wanted to have sex but she said "NO". He said in return, "No means yes!" Felisha found herself in an awkward position. The boy did what he did.
While this could have been categorized as date rape, Felisha didn't do anything about it. Maybe it was because she grew up in an environment where domestic violence was accepted as part of life. Her mother was hit by her father yet never left him.
Felisha kept what happened a secret until she missed her period. That's when she thought she was pregnant.
Felisha made a trip to the drug store, took the pregnancy test and passed with flying colors.
Like most pregnant teens, Felisha was afraid to tell her mom.
She did tell the father of the child. After apologizing, he said he wanted nothing to do with the situation.
Once her baby was born, Felisha started attending a bible study for teen moms at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. They accepted her as she was. Along with helping Felisha sort out her new role as both mom and high school student, the group gave her assurance that God was there to help her raise her child.
Felisha found finishing high school as a teen mom to be as hard as going through labor . "It's hard when your baby gets sick on a day you have a big test. You studied, got ready for school, didn't miss the bus, then have to stay home because your baby needs you."
When asked about pregnancies in her area, Felisha blurted out, "Our entire school is pregnant!" Most of her close friends were pregnant or had babies as well.
When asked if she believed in God, Felisha said yes. She wouldn't give up because she knew God was with her to help her raise her child. But when asked if she went to church regularly she said no, because she didn't have the proper clothing. Or she would be afraid to ask for a ride.
Felisha dreams of being a beautician.
She also finds one of the joys of being a teen mom is that "she always has a friend".
She thanked TastyFaith for Life After Birth, the book used at her teen bible study.
TastyFaith prays for Felisha and the countless other Felishas across the country. These young teen moms need loving, non-judgmental mentors to help them with their new role as well as encourage them to stay in school.
Felisha's thanks, like the offering of poor widow in Mark, touched our hearts big time.
Thank you, Felisha!
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on."
Mark 12:41-44 |
