Teenagers are
amazing; old enough to be deep thinkers yet young enough to say exactly what
they think. I love that! When you have
the opportunity to spend time with teens, you’re usually able to walk away with
many stories to share from the experience. This story is brought to you by a
wide-eyed, 16 year old girl from a high school not far from you.
I arrived to
class with a bag full of Jolly Ranchers, passion to speak Truth, and a head
full of facts and data to share with teens.
The class was very excited (guest speakers are usually blessed with
that!) expecting someone to show up and
share on a topic that pretty much anyone over the age of 12 is interested. Before the bell could ring one teenage girl
bounced into a back row seat, popped her hand into the air, and before I could
even call on her she asked excitedly, “Are you here to give out free birth
control?”
With an
excitement to match hers I replied, “Well, YES!
Yes I am, but I what I have to offer is 100% effective, every single
time!” She was skeptical but as we spent the next 90 minutes together we were
able to explore all options and she did conclude that abstinence outside of
marriage is not only free, but 100 % effective and truly in her best interest.
So, did I really
say FREE? Yes, it was free to her and
the approximately 6,000 other students we presented to this year; but it isn’t
really free is it? This education is invaluable, and although schools, teachers
and students are not charged there is cost in executing such programs. Gas for the car, computers and projectors to
set up, pens to hand-out, program work-booklets to share. It certainly isn’t free! This generation is indebted to you for your continued
support; because nothing that is valuable is ever really FREE!
Tracey Pike,
Director of Abstinence Education
