by Diane Smith, Center Manager Countryside

Mary* was a 22 year old college student who called our Center very upset after her positive home pregnancy test. She told us about having had an abortion a few months earlier and was angry at being pregnant again and so soon! “Now’s not a convenient time in my life,” she said. It was bad timing and she feared not being able to finish her education.

We consoled her on the phone and she agreed to come to the Center the next day. After our meeting she reluctantly stated she “may” have this baby but wasn’t sure. She returned the following week for a Sonogram. But even after seeing her baby on the monitor she told us “I’m still having a hard time!”

Mary was a Christian and confessed being bitter and angry towards her pregnancy, fearful that the baby was going to keep her from graduating. She was feeling overwhelmed and shared that “everything about having a baby scares me!” We prayed with her and encouraged her and emphasized that she could have her baby and continue attending college and that we would be an ongoing support for her.

Fortunately Mary continued meeting with us weekly and attending classes. She shared how much she regretted her abortion and questioned how God could forgive her for what she had done and for being pregnant again out of wedlock. As we ministered to her she began to soften. Mary realized that God really did love her. She accepted God’s forgiveness and re-dedicated her life to the Lord.

Finally during the 14th week Mary looked at me, placed her hand on her tummy and smiled. She had bonded with her baby choosing life. Praise God! Mary recently gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy and brought him in to show us. She shared, “Everything is going great and we’re very happy.”

Mary is finishing her degree, attending church regularly and has plans to marry her son’s father within the next few months.

We praise God that He brought Mary into our lives and that she chose life for her son. We also praise God for your prayers and financial support that helped save her son.

* Client names are changed to protect their confidentiality. These photos of our clients do not go with the stories shared.