30 years ago I was already the single mother of a nine-year-old daughter that I had at age 17, and not making great choices in my life. I found myself pregnant once again as a 26 year old, and the father of the baby made it abundantly clear that he wanted no part of that situation.
With my first pregnancy, I felt people were forgiving because I was so young – but now, at 26, having made similar foolish mistakes, there would be no grace offered and no support system. I felt I had no choice but to abort the child.
I made an appointment at Planned Parenthood and was on my way into the clinic. As I drove into the driveway, a woman was standing on the curb praying for those who were going in. I didn’t know she was praying, but as I pulled into the lot my car windows were down because it was hot outside. She made eye contact with me.
She was bold enough to say to me, “If you are about to go in there to have an abortion and you are not absolutely sure it is the right choice, would you please go have a cup of coffee with me first, and then I’ll bring you right back here?” I had no idea why I said yes at the time… I didn’t even like coffee and I really felt like my only option was to abort, but I went with her anyway.
As we sat in the coffee shop, she shared information with me about fetal development – photos of babies at various stages of gestational growth, etc. – and I realized that, at 8 weeks, my child was not just a clump of cells or an unformed blob of tissue. My baby already had a heartbeat!
Praise God, because that day she saved my daughter’s life. Not only did she intercept me from that abortion appointment, she came alongside me and became my support system. The children in her sunday school class collected a mason jar filled with change to support me keeping my baby, the women in her church (in another state!) threw me a baby shower, and she became a friend and a mentor.
We’ve now remained friends for 30 years, despite geographical distance and many life events. I call her my daughter’s “guardian angel.” And, through all that I experienced, God brought that full circle and I now serve as a client advocate at my local crisis pregnancy center.
Today was my morning shift at the Center, and God allowed me to share my story with a client who prayed to accept Christ as her Savior. That is simply the awesome way He works!
