Daddy, I'm Pregnant
Haman Cross, Jr.
July 1, 1996
I'm pregnant."
After Cori, my 21-year-old, unwed daughter, said those words, I went through
all kinds of emotions.
Yes, it would be embarrassing. I wrote the book Sanctified Sex. I
had criss-crossed the country telling thousands of young adults like my daughter
to "just say no."
Yes, it broke my heart. I stayed awake many nights listening to my wife's
muffled sobs. I came home many days to referee a family feud.
But life had prepared me for this. I remember my 19-year-old brother being
pistol-whipped for a measly fifty cents. I remember angry youths firing a
.357 magnum in my front yard. I remember seeing a friend, inches from me,
get riddled with bullets. That's life in the ghetto. I clearly understood
what pastoring a church in the Smith Homes area, a Detroit housing project,
would cost me.
What I may have miscalculated was the price my family would have to pay.
I was willing to deal with rats and take a vow of poverty, but did God want
this for my family?
Baby steps
Cori has always made it clear that she likes the wilder side of life. She
has always learned her lessons the hard way.
She had tried on some of our values, and they did not fit. She seemed willing
to pay for the lifestyle she had chosen. After Cori became pregnant, she
made it clear: "This was not your fault … this was my decision."
When others advised her to abort, Cori didn't give hasty answers. She knew
we opposed abortion. But still she said, "I don't know what I'll do."
Cori was beginning to demonstrate maturity even if it were in a roundabout
way. One evening I painted the sobering picture of what life would be like
with a newborn—childcare, diapers, rent, utilities, immunizations, clothing,
toys, baby food, formula. ...
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 20,359 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
