But the Bigger Sin Is ...

John 8:8 - “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

Jesus wrote in the dust to fulfill the prophecy of Jeremiah 17:13 that the names of those who forsake God (spiritual adultery) will be written in the dust . . . and blown away by the wind. The Pharisees and scribes were guilty of forsaking God. Yet they were anxious to stone this woman to death!

One of my church van girls waited until she could speak to me in private. She hesitated ... "I just had a miscarriage ..." Then she waited to see my reaction. She was one of God's children - which made it even harder for her to deal with.

I softly asked, "And nobody knows about it?

"Nobody..."

She was taking a risk to confide in me. What she really needed was loving, supportive parents to help her through this without being judgmental. But that wasn't an option for her. She couldn't confide in any of her friends. They'd gossip. She couldn't confide in our youth pastor. He'd stone her - with plenty of help from self-righteous church members. The only person she felt safe with was me.

"I think we should talk about it." But I had no idea how to begin. The Lord spoke softly to my heart,

She has not had time to grieve her loss!

Our God is soooo compassionate! This helped me see things from her point of view. The very next day after her miscarriage she had to return to school, step right back into the hustle and bustle of daily life, and pretend that nothing had happened. The next words that came out of my mouth were not mine.

"I think you should name your baby."

Her eyes brightened! This was the moment when she knew for sure that I was not going to judge her. She replied, "I already have! His name is _____."

Then the dam broke. As she spoke of her disappointment and sorrow I inwardly wondered, "Why did this baby die?"

It is not time for her to be a mother.

I complained to God, "I'm not excusing what she and her boyfriend did. And neither is she. But the whole world stands ready to judge her!"

The bigger sin is not teens who let their passions run out of control, but married couples who refuse to love one another!

I replied, "That's half the church! Yet those same self-righteous couples feel superior to this poor young girl!"