“I don’t want this baby.” Those were the first words out of “Lisa’s” mouth. There was hesitation as she seemed a bit embarrassed, but the blunted look on her face said those words even louder. Her baby at home wasn’t one year old yet, and their steps to prevent another pregnancy had failed. Lisa was not emotionally prepared. She was in a committed relationship, but there were disagreements about significant life issues, and now another baby would add to their life stresses. One thing they did agree on was that they did not feel ready for another baby. After spending time with Lisa, the Care Coordinator believed that Lisa possibly had post partum depression with her first baby that had not been addressed. A therapist was recommended immediately. As Lisa became more comfortable, she freely shared her reasons for abortion in more detail. She knew she had a strong support system but did not know if that would change with another baby. Lisa had not desired to have children, and now she was faced with raising two. She said she loved her baby and knew deep down she could love this baby also.
She was brave enough to admit that none of this was the baby’s fault and that abortion was not fair for the life growing inside of her. Lisa said she never had an opinion about abortion but never thought she would faced with the decision. Finally, she admitted that God had been trying to get her attention and the care coordinator was able to speak His love into her life. Reminding Lisa that in God’s strength, she could find the ability she needed to walk in His purpose for her life, even if it wasn’t the life she thought she would have.
Lisa received the ultrasound that day and witnessed the baby growing inside her. The lack of emotion at the beginning started to ease a little. But she still left, unsure what she would choose. When Lisa returned a week later, it was almost as if we were speaking to a different woman. She was smiling, and we could not believe what she shared. When Lisa left her first appointment, we thought it would take her a week or more to make a final decision. Instead, she shared that as soon as she left that day, she called her fiance and told him she was continuing the pregnancy no matter what. Also, before Lisa returned, she reached out to a therapist and would see them within the week. All the care coordinator could think was, “wow, praise God.” This was a reminder of the power of planting seeds and trusting that God is the one that gives the increase. With our finite human eyes and minds, we saw doubt, fear, and a lack of hope. But our infinite God saw certainty, love, and hopefulness. Two scriptures come to mind when sharing this story.
“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
1 Corinthians 3:7
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or thinks according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21