Dear Friends,
Throughout the year we’ve been sharing stories with you of the families we serve. Real stories of women facing unexpected pregnancies, couples who were happy to be having a baby, and people concerned about health risks. Each situation is unique with varying outcomes.
When it comes to unexpected pregnancy scenarios, we’ve heard them all—everything from random hookups to healthy relationships facing a one-time slip up. The reason for crisis varies significantly but they all have one thing in common: choices. In every situation, couples have choices to make which have a significant impact on their futures.
As I thought about all the different situations we see, I find myself reflecting on the ultimate unplanned pregnancy in history: The birth of Jesus.
We’ve all read the story in the Bible and can probably recite most of it by memory, but how much do we really think about the dynamics of all the events surrounding the birth of Jesus?
Mary was young and not married. She had to tell her family and Joseph that she was pregnant. Picture that scenario in our world today…how do you see that conversation going?
Joseph was preparing to be a husband when he found out his fiancé was pregnant –with a child that wasn’t his. Picture a man in today’s world, how do you think he would respond?
Imagine Mary was your friend, what advice would you have given her?
Imagine Joseph was your brother, what might you have suggested he do?
With all the influences in today’s world pointing to harmful choices, we need to stand out as the voice that leads to LIFE!
I know it was God’s plan for Mary & Joseph to be the parents of Jesus and I am thankful they made difficult choices in their relationship which led to the birth of our Savior. I can’t imagine it was an easy road, and it fills me with unmeasurable wonder knowing that their son, the ultimate unexpected pregnancy, paid the ultimate price for us and provided the way for our salvation.
They chose him before he was born, and we can choose him every day…for LIFE.
Merry Christmas,
Melanie Smeenk,
Executive Director