I received a panic phone call from a lady who was in tears and at first it was a little hard to understand what she was saying. After some soothing words she was able to tell me what was going on in her life. She was in a dilemma for sure. Life had not been easy for "Mary" I will call her. A messy divorce some years ago left her and two children at the mercy of fate, and living off the kindness of family members. And she spiraled out of control unable to get a grip on life and the tough challenges that lay in her pathway. Alcohol became her 'friend', and soon behind it the demons of drugs put their talons into her life too, and in time these chemical fiends became in control of her very existence. Finally she realizes what is happening to her and slowly she starts the trek to break away from her destructive habits.
Fast forward some years........and here we are down life's rocky road and her children are now teenagers with their own sets of circumstances. And the teenage daughter finds out that she is pregnant. It's devastating to everyone in the family. Soon everyone has an opinion and is telling "Mary" what she needs to do with her daughter. With no one else to go to (she thought) she caved in to their threats of what will happen unless she does what the family is demanding that she do. We will throw you both out on the street unless you..."take her for an abortion!"
"Mary's" own mother threatens her with eviction unless she schedules the abortion. So "Mary" calls the abortion clinic and schedules it. Then she is hit with such a heavy load of guilt.... shame... sick in her heart.... sorrow...grief.....horrible weight..... fears.... searing emotion pain that would not leave her night or day. The responsibility of it all, and afraid of making the wrong 'choice' by forcing this abortion on her own daughter became too much to bear.
Finally after several days......unable to take the terrible pressure she was feeling anymore she called me. Here are the facts after the storm and shock of this unfortunate reality that we discussed gently.
1. What does God say about abortion? (Thou Shalt Not Kill)
2. Is this a permanent decision to a temporary set of circumstances? (There is no changing an abortion after it's done)
3. What if down the road you wish you had never made your daughter get an abortion? Regrets cannot be undone, there's no way to ease this kind of grief.
4. Can you really kill your own grandchild?
5. If your daughter wants this child (she does) how will you live with your conscious by forcing death on her baby?
6. Are you willing to lose your grandchild and possibly your own daughter by refusing to listen to her plea for life?
7. How will you take the life of this baby if it's father wants this baby to live (he does)
8. Family may not can take care of you now.... it may be time to leave the nest and look for a safe home. There are many safe houses for your daughter during her pregnancy at this time.
9. There are thousands of christian homes praying for a child.... this baby could certainly bring joy to a mom and a dad if they decide for adoption down the road. Why not consider adoption instead of abortion?
10. The parents immorality is not a reason to punish an innocent baby. It's not the baby's fault.
By the end of our discussion she was at peace.... calm.... and knew that there would be no peace in her heart if the abortion was done. We prayed together and she said thank you for common sense... she could cancel this appointment knowing that it really was the right choice to make.
Abortion is not a choice...to the innocent baby life. It's still death from the baby's point of view.
I sure hope one day I will get to hold this little baby and kiss her and tell her I loved her before she was born........ Dr Gayla Holley
Comments