I keep an email list of all the moms I have counseled over the years. Each morning, I send a blind copy email with a Bible verse to the whole group. This morning, one of the moms wrote back to me and told me that the Bible verse had not copied properly, and she could not see it. I was amazed that it was so important to her to receive that Bible verse that she was letting me know that she had not been able to see it that morning. Clearly, this indicates she is looking at those verses every single morning.
When I received that text from her, I instantly wrote back and asked her to fill me in on her life. It had been a while since I had heard from her.
She sent me a picture of her precious family along with the image of the baby who had been saved from abortion when she met us. She told me she was very content with life, although it was a constant struggle. She said she should write a book.
I responded that indeed, she should write a book, and that the hardest part was just getting started. She told me she had no idea how to even start. So I suggested that she start with the turning point in her life as chapter 1, and then go back to the beginning of her life to recount the struggles that led her to that turning point.
She told me the turning point was when she met us. Everyone in her life was encouraging abortion. She received nothing but disrespect when she spoke of choosing life for the baby. She felt all alone in the thought that she should not kill the child.
When she met us, we gave her the courage and strength to choose life as well as some practical resources to be able to do so more easily. It was something about the painted rock I gave her that filled her with strength.
This was almost two years ago so I did not remember the rock. I asked her what about the rock had given her strength? She said the verse on the back of the rock was Romans 8:31. I did not know it at the time, but apparently that was the verse tattooed on her arm! She knew then that God was speaking very clearly to her, and gave her the strength to do what she knew in her heart was the right thing to do before God.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
I told her to write that book … and I would help her. “You never know, it might help someone else who is struggling.”
Years ago, after I had gone through a very hard season in my life, someone had said those exact words to me: “You should write a book about this. It might help someone else.“
That started my career as an author; I have now written 28 books. You just never know how standing for God and speaking of it can make a difference in someone’s life.
Sidewalk Tips
Many women express feeling all alone in thinking about a choice for life.
We must recognize that many people tell young unmarried women, especially if they have other children, that abortion is the rational and right choice. They will even tell them that NOT having an abortion is selfish, since it will take away from the other children if the mom keeps the baby! The simple act of letting them know you are with them, God is with them, and a mentor will be with them can what they need to feel they are NOT alone in a choice for life.
Breathe courage and strength into the mom.
Painting positive vision and capitalizing on the Mom’s maternal instincts as the design by God to protect the child are all important strategies.
The Gospel saves … and there is power in the word.
Never forget the power of Scripture. The verse on the rock continues to strengthen this mom.
Look for clues!
Had I seen the tattoo, I would surely have mentioned it. There were other clues I did capitalize on, the mom’s tears, feeling alone, wanting the baby but feeling disrespected for that choice…
Many express they were looking for a sign.
Think about how you can BE that sign. Never neglect talking about God. Ask questions to find out what they were looking for that might dissuade them from abortion.
Tangible gifts can be a reminder of God and the valid choice of life.
Many women have told me the painted rocks (unborn baby image with Bible verse) have helped them choose life and even maintain the choice for life. Baby items can do a similar thing. The idea is to keep the image of the baby in their mind in as many ways as possible. Ultrasound photos, baby blankets, onesies, scripture with photos of unborn….
Finding ways to stay connected to the mom can be really fruitful!
The daily email list has been an incredible help to me in continuing to help the moms, disciple, and stay in touch so they do not feel abandoned and can reach back if they need encouragement. I am also often encouraged by when they contact me to send photos or thank our ministry.
You may not know the many ways that God has perfectly prepared you for this work.
So many of my life experiences have been used by God to minister to the women. I never imagined my artistic talent would be used to save babies. I never thought my love of writing would translate into ministry. Those are just two of so many life experiences that God has turned into tools for serving Him!
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