Last week at 71Five Parents we were reading Isaiah 43:4 where God says to his people: “You are precious and honored in my sight and I love you.” I asked the teen parents: “Has anyone ever told you that they were “proud of you?” Not one in the group had ever heard the words: “I am proud of you.” Would you agree that kids need to be seen for who they are, that they should be loved and honored? Most teen parents lacked a caring adult to invest time, guidance, protection or support when they needed it. Teen parents may be walking into parenthood themselves with a deficit of their basic needs met.

BREANNA STOUTENBURGH,  71Five Parents Coordinator  

541.941-7697 | breanna@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

I have an example of How God chooses the weak things of this world to shame the wise. . .

As I was walking around a university event, I was impressed by two stylish, educated college students in front of me talking about a wedding they were going to attend. But I was surprised to overhear one of the young women loudly explain, “I’m waiting to get an abortion until after the wedding because these hormones make me look really good in my dress!” They both laughed and walked on. These two women were beautiful, with successful academic careers lined out, but I was disturbed by their lack of discretion and what they had value in. Driving home I contrasted the two college students with the teen mothers attending 71Five Parents. They don’t appear to have it all together. They often get judged for ‘mistakes’, poverty, or needs. They come from homes that are filled with chaos. They’ve sacrificed teenage figures to bring children into this world. They aren’t free to just do whatever they want. They are adolescents, but they give their freedom, time, and opportunities because they truly love and value their children.

BREANNA STOUTENBURGH,  71Five Parents Coordinator  

541.941-7697 | breanna@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

Violet is a sixteen-year-old girl who found out that she was pregnant. Looking at the positive pregnancy test, she felt heavy fear and unrelenting dark waves of panic mixed with disbelief. “Is this real?” She went to her mom hoping she would help, instead her mom replied: “I don’t know what you are going to do about this problem. You got yourself into this mess.” When Violet finally had the courage to tell her child’s seventeen-year-old father, he said “You aren’t going to keep it, ARE YOU?” She knew he didn’t love her, and he wouldn’t walk this road with her either. Violet felt a connection with her child, a love for the life inside of her despite what everyone else said. Violet did have one person who listened to what she wanted to do, it was a kind lady she talked to at the Pregnancy Care Center, this woman helped her get into The Magdalene Home, a homeless shelter for teen mothers. Violet knew she couldn’t do this by herself; however, she was encouraged because someone cared and showed her how to get the help she needed to have her baby.

BREANNA STOUTENBURGH,  71Five Parents Coordinator  

541.941-7697 | breanna@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB