Hello dear
The headline of a national newspaper indicates that some 4,000+ girls are not resuming their studies at the beginning of the next term subsequent to pregnancy. Of course, this is attributed to Covid-19 and the lockdown. And it is, partially. But tell me, does a virus have the capacity to impregnate? And if so, should the outcome of the virus be solely belong to the girls? What will their future entail? How do we respond? Consider today’s Holy Nougat
““No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel.”
2 Samuel 13:12 NLT
Tamar’s story is often used to address issues related to Sexual and Gender based Violence, and understandably so. It chronicles the experience of incest of a king’s daughter and the trauma she experienced. For some, the larger story may be hard to hear (and perhaps even this verse), yet Tamar’s impassioned plea is hardly ever considered when girls lose their education or other opportunities as a result of incest or rape. In fact, most societies (countries or communities) invite the introduction of prophylactics to prevent pregnancy, rather than addressing the root of the problem.
My dears, when there is a 500,000+ increase in pregnancies – teen and otherwise – in a region; and 4000+ plus documented in one country in another region of the world within 3 months of the Covid-19 lockdown; we have a serious crisis. And it cannot be a females’ only problem. It cannot be attributed to dress or attitudes – although it is rooted in humanity’s sin problem. And while I am confident that God already loves each of those children; I am equally confident that God does not condone the violence behind the pregnancies.
Today, I urge us to hear Tamar cry. I beseech us to rush to her rescue. I invite us to speak to our Amnons and help them understand that
– No really means No
– Females are to be valued as humans and not as objects
– God created male AND female to enjoy the blessings created for humanity
And perhaps we could instill that knowledge in our Tamars also – that they are truly precious and loved by us and by God. We can teach them to say No; but we recognize that it might not be acknowledged.
And if things progress as they did with Amnon to Tamar; let us not be silent. Our girls need us to speak for and to defend them. We can also provide support to places of safety for adolescent mothers, or help foster a child. And, if we don’t have the capacity to transform a life or lives in this way; we can choose to abstain from judging the girls and instead speak life.
Sometimes the Word is hard to hear and chokes the chewer. But God desires that those Words lead us to action for the sake of one; for the sake of humanity. By God’s grace, let us be guilty of helping our children live.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
