Delilah,

I have listened to your show every night since was a little girl and I have never been able to get through on your line, so I have finally decided to take a new approach and write you a letter. I have never felt more like a little girl in my entire life. I am seventeen and the youngest of 14 kids and have been through more tragedies then anyone should ever have to go through. My parents were verbally and physically violent towards each other and divorced when I was 5. Mom remarried to a heroin addict and never provided structure. All of my siblings have dropped out of high school and have had kids before marriage. I am the only one who has gone to church my whole life. I finished high school early and I am now in college. My dad is my hero and my biggest inspiration; he has lung cancer and has less than a year to live. He lives in Texas, and I am here in Washington all alone. I have my own apartment which he pays for. I have always been responsible and "wise beyond my years." I got accepted to university in the fall and have planned to go on a trip to Spain, Portugal, and France in August with my best friend. I have been fund-raising at my church for three years. Now here is my dilemma:

I met a great guy who I thought the world of! He made me feel special, he listened to me and we clicked. I know he loves me back. I think he is just scared but he began to fail his classes and his parents pulled his tuition and made him moved back to Oregon. I love him and I found out I am five weeks pregnant last week. I do not know what to do because he will not talk to me now. He told me "we'd get through this together" and has not talk to me since. I sent him the picture of my first ultrasound and he had nothing to say. I feel alone and I can't tell my dad because I know he would never talk to me again. I do not know how to solve this. I will lose my job at my church and not be able to go on my trip or even go to university. I keep in mind that God has a plan for everyone and will help guide me through this. He works in mysterious ways and I know he has a plan. I am just scared and haven't told anyone.

Can you please tell me what you think?
Anonymous listener

Dear little sister,

Praise God that you are alive and well and thriving, despite the pain of your upbringing! I know right now it looks like it is all going to come crashing down, but trust me, the GREAT stuff is just beginning! Think how Mary felt when she was in your shoes, and afraid to face the future with a child growing in her belly, since she was not married....

God will see you through this and you will be surprised at how everything turns out. If your dad is such a great guy, he will get over the disappointment and come to your side to support you. If he doesn't, he isn't a great guy...but God will provide all your needs, according to His riches and glory.

If you decide not to keep the baby, you will bless a family that so wants to raise a child. If you decide to keep the child and raise him or her on your own, God will provide everything you need! I promise! Don't give up, don't get discouraged, and don't stop believing. Hang in there in school and keep praying. You might have to put off your trip to Spain and France, but so what? I've never been to any of those places, and I haven't missed a thing in life. I would MUCH rather have all my kids and my joy of being their mom than a palace in each country you mentioned. God loves you and He will bless you, and this baby will be such a huge gift!

God bless,
Delilah