A Message of Hope
by Deanne Belote
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.
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