What a beautiful way to start my day. My mom was 16 years old when she got pregnant by my dad and my grandfather was a preacher. She was given two choices: marry the guy or leave town until baby born & give baby up for adoption. My mom chose to marry the man. She went on to quickly have 4 other children with him (me included). She is now 82 years old, College Grad, Spec Ed Teacher-retired, Grandmother to 15 and Great Grandmother to seven. She said she has regrets in her life, but, she has delt with those between her and God. If not for her getting pregnant at such a young age, she would not have the incredible children she has helped raise. My Dad on the other hand, well.....thank goodness for my Mom's family!!!! April, you can do it with God and your Aunt's help. Your parents may come around later. You just keep loving that little baby and life will be fine. God bless you for choosing her life!!!!
I hope April’s parents read this and made it to Jessica’s brilliant response. Plenty of teenage Moms, they need our help not condemnation.
I’ll add the best thing April can do is forgive her parents of their pride. And continue to emulate Jesus in all you do. God bless her Aunt. And daughter.
That's the right answer. Mary, Mother of God, was a teenage mom. So was I, pregnant at 16. Today, I look back at a life with lots of joy, success, and great achievements. Topped by five grandchildren, who make me smile every day. Wishing April all the best. With her aunt's help, and perseverance, she will make a good life for herself and her daughter.
Sean, thank you so much for sharing this story. Miss Dellores was obviously a real deal Christian. That deacon most certainly was not. Jesus Christ teaches us to love and help everyone. I once heard someone say, “Saying you are a Christian because you attend church is like saying you are a car because you are in a garage.” Sean, I love reading your column each day. I am sorry that your experience with Southern Baptists has been unpleasant. A lot of us aren’t half bad. I’d love to have you and Jamie come and visit my church in Opelika. My husband Mike and I will treat you to a fine Southern dinner.
I wish I could answer this sweet girl personally but maybe she reads your column. I wish people would grow a heart. She’s a child. And babies are never a mistake. They are a gift. Just ask anybody that can’t have one of their own. Ask a parent who has lost a child in any circumstance. Ask a grandma who never got to hold a baby because the mom to be decided abortion was the answer. Why in the world is it anybody’s place to sit in judgment of this child? God be with you honey. Love your baby. Live your life.
I suspect Jessica’s parents will have a lot to explain when they get to the Pearly Gates. Christ said to love one another. I hope Jessica is blessed with the good life she deserves.
So sad to hear that these young women did not receive the compassion & empathy they deserved. I have been a part of two different conservative congregations where a young unmarried woman was supported, given a baby shower and accepted into the church family. We are all sinners and need to remember the grace & mercy God has bestowed on us.
April didn't make a mistake, she had a lapse in judgement. We all do that when we are teenagers but you also live with your mistakes. Bringing a child into this world is a big responsibility it also requires a lot of energy. I think she will have both. Love the child and keep on keeping on.
Good stuff, Sean. You may be able to tell from my name I was never an unwed mother. I think that too many pro-lifers, who tend to also be more religious than not, shy away from supporting their view on abortion. You can't be pro-life and anti-unwed mothers.
Please allow me to correct you, the pro-lifers run the largest number of pregnancy centers in all states, where women are helped and supported before and after delivery. Dennis, dont buy into the pro-abortion agenda. Pro-life is PRO-LIFE, from conception until natural death, and everything in between.
Glad to hear it. I know of only one pregnancy center and it's in Elberta, AL. I freely admit I'm not their demographic so I don't go out of my way to find them. I'm very anti-abortion.
AMEN, Sean! And Hail, Mother Mary, full of Grace. Thank you for this wonderful remembrance and reminder that all of us Need Grace and Forgiveness! No One is exempt - no matter what age.
My first reaction to this is I thought we had all evolved. This sounds like a 1950s out of wedlock pregnancy story, being kicked out or sent away to give birth and give up the child. Heartbreaking she is condemned as a sinner when the Lord tells us once we ask forgiveness, He forgets the matter and sends it as far away as the east is from the west. It’s a very serious offense to accuse a Christian about a deed they’ve already brought before the Lord and received forgiveness. Thank God for April’s aunt and the Miss Delores’s of the world. May God’s richest blessings be upon April and her baby always.
Like many others have said let us know when April writes you again. Some of us teenage moms that have been through this would like to offer encouragement, love, guidance and help if needed. I’m all grown-up now and have grandchildren now but once was in Aprils shoes.
I got pregnant when I was 18, my boyfriend was 17. This was back in 1972. My father wanted me to get “rid of it.”
I said no. My mom was so disappointed in me too. I was not allowed to wear a white dress. I was also considered a sinner. My boyfriend and I were married in 1973. Outside the church my husband’s hateful aunt whispered to him, “I’ll give it (our marriage) 6 months.” I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in June of 1973. Our marriage has been tough. But, I won’t go into that now. We have 4 beautiful daughters and 10 wonderful grandchildren. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary this past February. I feel like I’m rambling now but I’d like to say something to April......
Dearest April, I agree with Sean. You aren’t a sinner, my love. You are human and I bet you are the best mommy. God bless you. You are loved.♥️
What a beautiful way to start my day. My mom was 16 years old when she got pregnant by my dad and my grandfather was a preacher. She was given two choices: marry the guy or leave town until baby born & give baby up for adoption. My mom chose to marry the man. She went on to quickly have 4 other children with him (me included). She is now 82 years old, College Grad, Spec Ed Teacher-retired, Grandmother to 15 and Great Grandmother to seven. She said she has regrets in her life, but, she has delt with those between her and God. If not for her getting pregnant at such a young age, she would not have the incredible children she has helped raise. My Dad on the other hand, well.....thank goodness for my Mom's family!!!! April, you can do it with God and your Aunt's help. Your parents may come around later. You just keep loving that little baby and life will be fine. God bless you for choosing her life!!!!
I hope April’s parents read this and made it to Jessica’s brilliant response. Plenty of teenage Moms, they need our help not condemnation.
I’ll add the best thing April can do is forgive her parents of their pride. And continue to emulate Jesus in all you do. God bless her Aunt. And daughter.
That's the right answer. Mary, Mother of God, was a teenage mom. So was I, pregnant at 16. Today, I look back at a life with lots of joy, success, and great achievements. Topped by five grandchildren, who make me smile every day. Wishing April all the best. With her aunt's help, and perseverance, she will make a good life for herself and her daughter.
Sean, thank you so much for sharing this story. Miss Dellores was obviously a real deal Christian. That deacon most certainly was not. Jesus Christ teaches us to love and help everyone. I once heard someone say, “Saying you are a Christian because you attend church is like saying you are a car because you are in a garage.” Sean, I love reading your column each day. I am sorry that your experience with Southern Baptists has been unpleasant. A lot of us aren’t half bad. I’d love to have you and Jamie come and visit my church in Opelika. My husband Mike and I will treat you to a fine Southern dinner.
I wish I could answer this sweet girl personally but maybe she reads your column. I wish people would grow a heart. She’s a child. And babies are never a mistake. They are a gift. Just ask anybody that can’t have one of their own. Ask a parent who has lost a child in any circumstance. Ask a grandma who never got to hold a baby because the mom to be decided abortion was the answer. Why in the world is it anybody’s place to sit in judgment of this child? God be with you honey. Love your baby. Live your life.
Jessica’s reply should make anyone sit down and shut up. Thanks Sean and Jessica
I suspect Jessica’s parents will have a lot to explain when they get to the Pearly Gates. Christ said to love one another. I hope Jessica is blessed with the good life she deserves.
So sad to hear that these young women did not receive the compassion & empathy they deserved. I have been a part of two different conservative congregations where a young unmarried woman was supported, given a baby shower and accepted into the church family. We are all sinners and need to remember the grace & mercy God has bestowed on us.
April didn't make a mistake, she had a lapse in judgement. We all do that when we are teenagers but you also live with your mistakes. Bringing a child into this world is a big responsibility it also requires a lot of energy. I think she will have both. Love the child and keep on keeping on.
Good stuff, Sean. You may be able to tell from my name I was never an unwed mother. I think that too many pro-lifers, who tend to also be more religious than not, shy away from supporting their view on abortion. You can't be pro-life and anti-unwed mothers.
Please allow me to correct you, the pro-lifers run the largest number of pregnancy centers in all states, where women are helped and supported before and after delivery. Dennis, dont buy into the pro-abortion agenda. Pro-life is PRO-LIFE, from conception until natural death, and everything in between.
Glad to hear it. I know of only one pregnancy center and it's in Elberta, AL. I freely admit I'm not their demographic so I don't go out of my way to find them. I'm very anti-abortion.
AMEN, Sean! And Hail, Mother Mary, full of Grace. Thank you for this wonderful remembrance and reminder that all of us Need Grace and Forgiveness! No One is exempt - no matter what age.
My first reaction to this is I thought we had all evolved. This sounds like a 1950s out of wedlock pregnancy story, being kicked out or sent away to give birth and give up the child. Heartbreaking she is condemned as a sinner when the Lord tells us once we ask forgiveness, He forgets the matter and sends it as far away as the east is from the west. It’s a very serious offense to accuse a Christian about a deed they’ve already brought before the Lord and received forgiveness. Thank God for April’s aunt and the Miss Delores’s of the world. May God’s richest blessings be upon April and her baby always.
Thank you once again Sean
Like many others have said let us know when April writes you again. Some of us teenage moms that have been through this would like to offer encouragement, love, guidance and help if needed. I’m all grown-up now and have grandchildren now but once was in Aprils shoes.
No matter the circumstances, how can people deny their grandkids? 🥺👼
I got pregnant when I was 18, my boyfriend was 17. This was back in 1972. My father wanted me to get “rid of it.”
I said no. My mom was so disappointed in me too. I was not allowed to wear a white dress. I was also considered a sinner. My boyfriend and I were married in 1973. Outside the church my husband’s hateful aunt whispered to him, “I’ll give it (our marriage) 6 months.” I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in June of 1973. Our marriage has been tough. But, I won’t go into that now. We have 4 beautiful daughters and 10 wonderful grandchildren. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary this past February. I feel like I’m rambling now but I’d like to say something to April......
Dearest April, I agree with Sean. You aren’t a sinner, my love. You are human and I bet you are the best mommy. God bless you. You are loved.♥️