I don't know you. And you don't know me.

But you — if you're a teenage girl here in Streator — are heavy on my heart. This is a personal message, just for you.

Recently, my wife talked with a local high school student. The student told her that 13 school friends are pregnant. Thirteen! And those are only the ones who have let others know.

Please, honey. Please don't have sex now. If you haven't yet, don't. If you've already started, stop. Here's why.

• Birth control often doesn't work. Trust me, babies will happen.
• Having a baby isn't fun. It's uncomfortable while you're expecting. It can be scary even for older women. And the delivery is about as much fun as running a whole watermelon through your digestive system. It hurts. A lot.
• But the physical pain isn't the worst. There's the rejection, when the boy you slept with denies being the dad. Accuses you of sleeping with other guys. Drops you like a bad habit and starts dating other girls. Lust isn't love. The fastest way to find that out is to get pregnant.
• Many girls sleep around because they think their parents don't care. And the girls might be right. But if you think your parents don't want you now, what's it going to be like when you tell them you're expecting a child?
• I know a lot of you don't like to think about money. But if you're sexually active, you better start thinking about it. Single mothers are the fastest-growing poverty segment in the U.S. Census. A lot of teenage boys can't support a family. Many more won't.
• Another thing to consider: A baby is for life! Kiss childhood goodbye. Kiss your dreams goodbye.
• Think about the baby. Your baby! If you think your childhood is bad, what is childhood going to be like for your baby? Growing up without a dad? Growing up in poverty?
• Abortion won't solve the problem. You'll spend the rest of your life thinking about it, regretting it. Putting your baby up for adoption is a much better and loving choice. But the emotional trauma is still there.
• There's more. So much more. The glamorous movies and television shows love the romantic aspect of sex. They don't spend a lot of time showing the sleepless nights with colicky babies, stinky diapers, bottle feedings and all the rest.
• But I've saved the biggest for last. Your life will never be the same. Your concern for your baby will be all-consuming. You'll never be able to go anywhere without considering your child. You'll experience the tremendous burdens of parenthood long before you are mature enough to properly bear them. It's tough enough for older couples who are married, who help each other carry the load. It's so very hard to do it alone.

Honey, I'm just a pastor at a local church. Like I said at the beginning — I don't know you. But I love you enough to tell you the truth.

But only you can love yourself enough to say no to sex.

One last thing. If you're a teen and already pregnant, the loving people at Guardian Angel Pregnancy Center want very much to help you. Call them at 815-672-4567.

• THE REV. JOHN H. SCHMIDTKE is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Streator. He can be reached via e-mail at lonnyc@mywebtimes.com.