What do you do?

The other day our office got a phone call. It was a suprising phone call because we rarely get one, from a soon to be dad. But this wasn't just any other dad, he was a 19 year old student, calling for his 18 year old girlfriend.

Somehow, she has made it to 40 weeks without any teachers or parents knowing. This does cause concern for me as you wonder if she has been eating properly and taking care of herself. My heart ached as I talked to him when he called the second time.

Young daddy comes from an ok family, both parents are around, still married. Momma comes from a single parent (mom) family and they struggle to make ends meet, had to take out a loan for school. They go to night school and one works during the day. I do admire this strong young man and hope I can meet him and give him a hug. He has taken her to every prenatal check up and sounds like he is taking good care of her. They had seen Morning Light information on the web and realized that abortion should NEVER be an option. But now, at 40 weeks pregnant, what was their option?

In their mind, it was all planned out . "Well", he said in a very matter of fact voice, "if we come down tomorrow night and she is induced, stays the weekend and then we come back to our area on Monday." Meaning, they would "be absent from school" on Monday and then continue on with school the rest of the week like nothing happened. After all, no one knows.

Sounds like a perfect plan, and in all honestly, I can tell they really thought about it. I can also tell they are scared and not sure what else to do. So, when I had to burst his bubble, I felt awful. I unfortunately had to tell him "Have you told her parents or yours?" "Uh, no." "Well, you both are minors until age 20yr old, and the hospital can't just deliver a baby and not tell the guardian. Even if they could, what about afterwards?" You could almost tell the fear of telling the parents in his voice. "Do we have to?" I kindly, in the most comforting voice I could, "yes, it is best and really that is the only way you can get things done. I suggest you let her mom know, it is safest for all of you. You can tell her our phone number and we can talk to her to let her know we are legit. But you need to tell her parents."

By law, we could get into mega trouble if we took her in and all. Then the grandma is still guardian of baby til momma is 20yr old (unlike the USA way). The young daddy's answer was "ok, I see" and that was it.

All last night I was thinking, "Lord please, please,please don't let me see news of an abandoned baby in xx county."  My heart is so concerned that that might happen, because it has happened way to many times. The laws, while trying to protect, too many times hurt many lives here.

Our prayers this weekend are that we can reach out to help this young couple. Prayers that they can come out and tell their parents the situation and the reprecussions are not as they dream.

Lord, help us to be able to help this young couple.  Give us wisdom and understanding as to what to do for them. Lord, each and every life is precious in YOUR sight. Show them YOUR way!! Wrap YOUR arms of love and care around them, around their hearts. Protect this little life soon to be delivered Lord!!