Be a Voice for Life

Posted on October 22, 2009
Filed Under Personal |

“Be a Voice For Life”

That was the “theme” for the event.

I was sitting at the table wishing that I didn’t have to go on. I had been asked by “A Woman’s Friend” a pregnancy resource center in Marysville/Yuba City, California, to speak at their annual fund-raiser.

I was happy to do so…until I heard Jennifer’s testimony. Then I felt it would be much better for me to not say a word, but simply let her story suffice for the evening.

I was moved. We all were moved.

On drugs. Homeless. Helpless. A life that was a total mess. Then, to add to her woes, she was afraid that she was now pregnant.

She had heard that A Woman’s Friend provided free pregnancy tests, so she made a decision that would change the rest of her life.

She went.

After taking the test, her “advocate” joyfully announced, “Congratulations! You’re pregnant!”

Jennifer wept. “I can’t have this baby! I can’t even take care of myself. How could I take care of someone else too? I have to abort.”

I suspect there probably can’t be a situation that looks a whole lot more hopeless…homeless, on drugs, pregnant. Abortion sure seemed to be the right decision.

But the love and care that was shown to her…and the ensuing counsel and help, led Jennifer to make the next most critical decision. She decided to carry her baby…and then to keep him…her son.

She stood before us and fought back the tears as she declared to us the amazing gift that this child had been to her. She spoke of the delight that her son was to her…and to others…for he was a joy to those around her as well.

Then she asked “Wally” to come up and join her. He tried to speak, but all he could do was just hug his mom. It was evident to the 600 in the room, that he loved her dearly and she loved him just as much.

It seemed to me, that anything I said after this special moment would be pointless.

Thank you, Jennifer. Thank you, Wally.

Thank you Sheldon, Vivian, Bonnie and the rest of the amazing staff at A Woman’s Friend.

There are a whole lot more Jennifers and Wallys out there. Who will speak for the them? Who will speak for the unborn?

Who will be a voice for life…if not us?

[Photos by Fred Leonard...thank you!]

Comments

7 Responses to “Be a Voice for Life”

  1. Karyn on October 22nd, 2009 10:40 am

    What a brave woman. May God be glorified through the courage he has given her.

  2. Melissa on October 22nd, 2009 11:28 am

    brought tears to my eyes too

  3. Jill on October 22nd, 2009 12:47 pm

    I just joined our local Right to Life group, and this is a wonderful story I will share with them. There have been several women in similar situations,who went to the local “crisis pregnancy center” who have changed their minds, and are keeping their baby, thanks to those standing outside the clinc to talk to them before they enter. This just in the last 2 months. Praise God!! Thanks for sharing this story. This child given from God, changed her behaviour, and thru God changed her life. God knows the big picture! What might have seemed hopeless and unthinkable to handle, is the very thing that helped her take back her life.

  4. Kris on October 22nd, 2009 2:39 pm

    AMEN! We need to speak for those that can’t, won’t, or don’t know how!

  5. Trey on October 23rd, 2009 7:24 am

    I remember when I was in graduate school, a man who worked at a counseling center, a good Christian man, was speaking passionately about protecting the unborn. Prior to that moment, I did not get it.

    Listening to his love and care, and putting that in the context of who he was as a man, I realized that he knew something that I did not. He never spoke a word to me about the issue, but his life and love said all I needed to hear. I was convicted and changed that day.

    The power of a testimony can be strong indeed.

    Trey

  6. Susie A. on October 29th, 2009 11:09 am

    Jennifer I am sooooo very proud of you for standing up for what you believe! Your family is a positive role modele for all the world. You are truley blessed!

  7. Jeff on December 2nd, 2009 6:07 pm

    Our 15 year old daughter was five days away from a scheduled abortion when we found out. Through our church ministry, Broken From Silence and a local pro life organization, CareNet we now have a three year old grandson. He is the light of our lives and most of our 1400 member church thinks of him as theirs also.

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