A Message of Hope




The silence was deafening as the young woman waited for the results of her pregnancy test at Open Arms Real Choice Clinic. The walls seemingly closing in around her as she waited within the confines of the room. Her breathing became shallow, and her heartrate increased significantly. What if there was a baby? How would her life change? Would she lose her job? Would her family members turn their back on her? How would she ever afford another mouth to feed? She could barely keep a roof over her own head, so how would she ever be able to keep a roof over a baby’s head? And then she began to consider her options. She couldn’t think of letting those closest to her know her secret. If she did, she would run the risk of being judged, ridiculed, and rejected. In her desperation, it ran through her head what the world has been telling women for almost 50 years. That there is another option. One that would “take care of the problem”. In fact, the voice of the world says that she even has the right to end the life that might be insider her. And in addition, God would forgive her anyway, right? Doesn’t the Bible tell us that we are covered by grace? Isn’t there over 170 scriptures that mention’s God’s grace? It would all be so easy, or at least that is what the world tells us. That this “mistake” can be simply terminated, and that life can go on as it did before. In her angst she wanted to scream loudly so that the pain could be released. She knew that she had made a mistake. That the man that she had been with for that one night was no longer in the picture. Maybe it would be better if she just ended her life. That way no one would ever be the wiser, right? Oh, so many choices. So many ways of dealing with this life event. And this lady, sitting in the room across from her. A stranger, yet seemingly familiar. She seems pleasant enough. Blonde hair, thin build, maybe 40ish or even older. She speaks in a soft, non-judgmental way. She asks questions in a way that is non-assuming, and dare it be said, in a loving way. Then she asks me “the question” - if I believe in Jesus. Because of the shame, the response is low and almost incoherent. The response finally reaches her ears. The answer is yes and that He had been part of my life up until a couple of years ago. That is when I had gone away to college and my belief system had gotten challenged. It had become a mockery to those that I went to college with, so it was easier to “dump” Jesus than to stand up to the mockery. The woman sitting next to me listened quietly. Then she gently whispered this verse to me, “and we know that all things work together for good to them that love god, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (romans 8:28 kjv). Almost instantly the holy spirit began working on my mind, body, spirit, and soul. The following verse came to me, “for you formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for i am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when i was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; your eyes have seen my unformed substance, and in your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:13-16 If God knew me before I was born, wouldn’t He also know my child? And what if it were true - what that lady had said. What if all things worked together for good for those that loved God? A breath of hope filled my lungs. What if I was pregnant? Wouldn’t God be there for me through it all? Wasn’t I still a child of His and wouldn’t He still love me despite my mistake? I began to ask this lady in front of me questions. Some of the questions were about the possibility of being pregnant, my future if I was pregnant, about next steps, and about God. This lady answered each question in a meaningful and respectful manner. As the minutes passed, I began to understand that God still had a plan for me. That, if I was pregnant, that He had a plan and a purpose for the child as well. It was then that the nurse returned with the pregnancy test result, and it was then that more than one life was changed forever. “But they that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with the wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”. Isaiah 40:31 kjv God reminds us that when He is the center of our focus instead of our circumstances, that He steps in to carry our burdens and to give us a hope and a future. There are no surprises to God, and He is there to help us through even our most seemingly darkest days. He often sends others to intercede, to support, and to love when it is needed. He also sends others to be alongside us to help celebrate life and life- affirming choices. That is what we do here at Open Arms Real Choices Clinic. We come alongside others in a time of need. That need may include undergoing a pregnancy test, talking with someone about pregnancy options, having a limited ultrasound, hearing about medical and adoption referrals, receiving post abortion support, receiving STI/STD education, or to be part of the parenting support classes.