Key Verse:
Psalm 36:9, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (NIV)


Devotion:
Casey stared blankly at the test strip reading “Pregnancy Test: Positive.” Slowly she picked up the phone to call her best friend Dani. “Hey girl,” Dani said cheerily. Casey burst into tears. “I’m… I can’t believe this, what am I going to do? Oh no.” She sobbed into the phone. Dani told her to calm down and explain to her what had happened. Casey took a deep breath and spilled out everything.

She and her boyfriend Jeff had been dating for two years. He was a very nice guy and had a lot of respect for Casey. They had gone to Jeff’s house for their weekly movie night. It started out as just the normal boyfriend-girlfriend stuff they usually do. Unfortunately, things started to heat up and wrong choices were made.

Before she knew it, Casey wasn’t a virgin anymore. She wasn’t really sure how it happened and why she had decided to do it. But she was sure of one thing – a positive pregnancy test. Dani sighed and told Casey everything would be okay, and then they decided to pray. Dani is a strong Christian and has gone to church ever since birth. She knows she could help Casey out and if they trusted the Lord, everything would turn out fine.

“Should I get an abortion, what should I do?” “No, Casey, don’t. There are so many alternatives,” Dani said. They talked about the alternatives and the right choices and wrong choices. “Casey, around 1100 teenage girls will get an abortion today, that’s 1100 innocent lives taken, in one day.” “I know, I know, it’s awful, but I just can’t go through with it. I’m not ready,” Casey cried. So they prayed for the next couple of days and decided that she would keep the baby. She also talked to Jeff. They both knew they had made a mistake but they couldn’t go back. They got married and took up jobs and plenty of responsibility.

Seven and a half months later Virginia Ann Jamison took her first breath. As Casey stared down at this precious child, she cried. Though, for the first time in months they weren’t tears of regret but rather tears of thankfulness. She had made a bad choice that led to her unplanned pregnancy. But through godly counsel she made the right choice for the life of her baby. Life will not be easy for Casey, Jeff, or Virginia. But they trust that as they make decisions to honor God – He will help them every day.

My name is Lauren and I am 13. This kind of thing is happening all around me. Proverbs 31 Ministries is helping me find my voice to make a difference within my generation. The statistics are startling, and Proverbs 31 Ministries wants to try to change them. Every day you and I are blessed with God’s hope and love through Encouragement for Today devotions. Later today Proverbs 31 Ministries will invite you to share the blessing of changing teenage girls’ lives one heart at a time. I pray that you will join us – for my sake and for the sake of girls like me.

For the past few years Proverbs 31 Ministries has received calls and emails from young women like Lauren, asking how to be a Godly girl so they can become Godly women, wives and moms one day. Without additional staff and resources, we just aren’t able to keep up with the ever-growing need.

In 2007, we plan to launch devotions for these young women, written by young women. Today we asked Lauren to share with you one of the many hardships teenage girls face today. Later today, we’ll share with our subscribers what God is calling us to do about it and how you can help. (To learn more click Next Generation)

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, I pray today for the teenage girls and young women around us who will one day be moms and wives, leaders and business women, prayer warriors and friends of the next generation. Surround them with Your Grace and guide them with Your Truth. Help them to know You and live out Your purpose and calling on their lives. Give them courage to share their faith and power to live like Your Word is true. Show me how I can help make a difference. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Points:

How can I reach out and pour into the life of just one of today’s young women?

What does God say to women about mentoring young women?

Pray for Proverbs 31 Ministries to be able and equipped to change the lives of today’s teenage girls one heart at a time.

Click Next Generation to find out how Proverbs 31 Ministries is answering the next generation of young women's cry for help and how you can join us.

Additional Resources:

Wise Up by Rebecca Ingram Powell

Hannah’s Hope by Karen Kingsbury

Because (Music CD) by Gwen Smith

Power Verses:

Titus 2:3, “Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women…” (NLT)

Romans 1:11-12, “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” (NIV)

Psalm 33:11, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. (NIV)