Linking Arms of Hope and Faith to Help Single Pregnant Women

I admit it, Ecclesiastes is not my favorite book of the Bible to read, but there are some profound truths that can be gleaned. Chapter 4, verse 9 starts “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

The obvious take away from this simple passage is that people need each other. It’s easy to recognize this by living a few hours on this planet. Trying to go it alone is a dead end street. Yet when we link arms we find ourselves engaged in the magnificent plan of God. He has designed us to need each other.

What do I gain from admitting I need help? First of all, a good reward for my labor. Much more is accomplished together than on our own. God loves productivity. Secondly, I get help when I make mistakes (or “fall”). There is the random falling that happens from a bump in the road, but also the fall that happens from a personal choice. Like finding yourself pregnant outside the confines of God’s plan and commandments. It happens every day… it could have happened to many of us.

When we fall, we need a companion to lift us up. Two is also better than one to “keep us warm”. We could go to the store and get an electric blanket, but I don’t think the wise man was talking about sleep. This warmth is the emotional component of companionship, the mutual love that keeps our hearts clear, clean and useful to the Master.

Finally, two stand in the face of battle, we win when we link arms. Did you notice that he mentions a threefold cord after referring to “two” everywhere else? I believe that third cord is Jesus Himself, bringing a strength to the union that is virtually unbreakable.

Mercy House is the second (cord) companion in the struggle of life for single pregnant women. We want to set goals and be proactive and productive about the future for a young mother and her baby. We also want to lift her from her fall. To let her know that God has a future and a plan for her that is good, redemptive and beautiful. We want to be that warm place of love that cleanses, clarifies and makes hearts ready for the Master’s habitation. We want to fight the good fight of faith for the beautiful ending God has for every woman facing pregnancy alone. Jesus Himself is the cord which binds us together making us strong to win the fight for life, for love, and for beautiful endings.