The Hearts of the Parents

 See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” Malachi 4:5-6

Whether planned or not, a pregnancy is an invitation to love- to cherish, nurture and care for a child, a life in all its stages from conception to adulthood. 

Throughout the Bible, when people and nations turned away from God and chose their own ways, eventually calamity and destruction followed and often nations were overrun by their enemies. 

This is a clarion call for our own times to encourage and support families and children.  Christian values are increasingly being mocked by the world. Let us demonstrate the peace and stability that they ensure. Let us outdo one another in caring for those who are struggling with life's unexpected turns, including pregnancy. 

Let me give just two examples from a church I attended years ago. A young lady who had newly become a Christian gave her testimony to a group of us and bravely shared that she had undergone an abortion previously and had received Christ's forgiveness. She was loved and accepted and encouraged in her faith. 

Another young lady became pregnant and her boyfriend quickly ended the relationship. She was able to live at home with her family but her church family, particularly the ladies, reached out to her with love and provided all she needed for the baby , who was greatly loved as well. 

We love not because we are squeaky clean perfect people, but because we are sinners saved by the loving grace of our Father God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, with the conviction and guidance of His Holy Spirit.