Whether 17 high school girls in Massachusetts made a "pact" to get pregnant or not, the fact remains that 17 students at that high school are indeed pregnant. 

As the media and government officials scramble to find out why there was not easier access to birth control, our hearts break.  Should not the attention be on how to promote abstinence and purity?  Our prayer is that the voices from churches and concerned parents will be louder than the voices from government and the media. 

Government is telling us that birth control is the answer.  Really?  Recently the media shared an article where statistics show that one out of four teen age girls have a sexually transmitted disease that they have to go through life with.  So although many are not pregnant, they have a terrible disease to deal with.

These 17 students - years from now - how many of them will still say that getting pregnant in their teenage years was a smart idea?  Probably not one.

We do always have access to God's grace and forgiveness, but decisions we make can and will cause burdens and difficulties here on earth.  God certainly does allow us to start over again, but the situations we have caused will be with us to bear.  In this case 17 young ladies and their families will be challenged to raise and nurture these children.  In a society where it is difficult enough to raise a child with good jobs and two adult parents, these young ladies will face many challenges ahead.     

As a society we cannot continue to allow our youth to fall into pits.  Parents need to be parents.  Church leaders need to be church leaders.  Friends need to be friends.  Compromising purity in favor of birth control will never work.  God has given us a plan for our lives and a Book of commands and lessons.  It is time we take responsibility for the next generation.  Be actively involved in a young person’s life.  Teach them what true love really is.  Get them close to God.  Educate them in building a solid future for them.  Encourage them to find excellent friends and a solid youth group.

We can point the finger of blame around, but if we truly value change today we all must accept responsibility and take action to promote abstinence and purity.