(Embrace Grace) — The sweet voice on the other end of the phone seemed so fragile, like a tiny teacup. I was expecting her phone call.
Just a few hours before, a precious lady called and shared a little bit of this girl’s story. She had an abortion scheduled on Saturday (just 2 days away). She asked if I would be willing to meet with her? YES! Oh please, have her call me and we can connect. I will meet her anytime, anywhere.
I waited expectantly for her to call…
Resembling a Dr. as they are on call for a delivery, my heart felt that I was on call. This precious life was waiting. My phone was just a tiny grasp away… & Then, the call came. I was so sensitive to her heart and the place she was in. She was so scared to tell her mom. She expressed she was afraid of the rejection she would feel.
I began to speak love and life giving words to her. Precious tears began to fall and she sniffled a little. I asked if I could pray with her, she said she would really like that.
Life and love words began to flow and touch her heart. That tiny teacup voice & Mommy heart began to fill up with peace and love. I asked if we could meet for lunch tomorrow? She said yes please. The next morning I woke up expectant and empowered knowing that God had an appointed time for this precious girl. At 11:11 am on April 11th, I began the journey to meet her. A truck ahead of me had a yellow caution triangle road sign that read PREPARE TO SAVE. At that very moment my heart said prepare to save this baby. Pray. Pray and pray some more. I had sent messages to other Leaders in Embrace Grace to also be praying and believing for this baby.
We met at Wendy’s for lunch on a very windy day. Trees and leaves were blowing mightily outside. She walked in and we shared a sweet embrace. She had gathered the courage to call her mom after we had talked and prayed last night. The reaction her Mom gave was totally opposite from what she had expected to receive. Her Mom said looks like we have some planning to do! She offered for her to move back home so that she could offer help and support. At that moment she called and rescheduled her appointment for the abortion. She needed more time to process and think.
She began to express her heartfelt desires and how she had imagined this to be in different circumstances. She had not planned for this to happen. She was not ready to be a single mom. She had so many questions. She felt unsure of her decision. I was there to listen. To encourage. To inspire hope and speak life into her situation. Each minute that passed, she seemed more expectant and hopeful. She said she knew it wouldn’t be easy. That there was so much to consider in each decision that she made.
Again, I prayed hope and spoke Jeremiah 29:11 over her and her baby.
I‘ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. Jeremiah 29:11-12
She had a dream before she ever found out she was pregnant. Her eyes began to brighten and a glimmer of hope began to sparkle as she shared that in her dream she held a baby boy. She felt in her heart that she was carrying a baby boy. That gave her hope. Something special to cling to. She did not know how everything was going to work out, but she was encouraged to trust God to work out the plans and details of this life for her. She later decided to cancel the abortion appt and she chose life for her baby!
One of the babies saved with Embrace Grace
That morning before meeting with her, I kept hearing the word babysaver and lifesaver over and over again in my heart… Babysaver, babysaver. You are a babysaver.
You are a babysaver too. All of YOU! As you pray for love, life and mommies and babies all over the world. As you reach out to those that are placed in your path. As you listen to their heart and have compassion upon them and share the truth that God will be there for them. To guide and help them through each step. God ALWAYS promises to be there. He will pour out His love upon them. You are saving babies lives. Speaking life and love over them.
PRO-LIFE & PRO-LOVE in action! Loving them both! MOMMIES and BABIES!
SO many times we have heard Blooms* say: My baby saved my life!!
Every Bloom* that has been to Embrace Grace and those that are to come- you are a BABYSAVER! You chose life and love for your baby.
You may have made the biggest and bravest decision and chose adoption and blessed another family with your baby! That is a priceless gift and you are a babysaver!
You may have a tug in your heart as you may have had an abortion in the past, come very close to having one or know someone that has. Even if the thought has ever crossed your mind. Please know that you are not alone. Healing and wholeness is yours for the taking. This post is not in any way to make you feel ashamed. It is the total opposite. This is a life giving message. All Grace & LOVE filled! You are a babysaver too! As you share your story, encouraging others to choose life, to be BRAVE, to be STRONG, and they are NOT ALONE!
BABYSAVERS you are our Heros and we LOVE YOU!!
One of the babies saved with Embrace Grace
* A Bloom is what we call our single and pregnant young women that go through the Embrace Grace program at a local church. We can see how their belly is growing and blooming but also their hearts are growing and blooming with hope and love for their baby. Embrace Grace is a 12-week curriculum that churches can utilize and allow a safe place for these brave moms that choose life to go for practical and spiritual support. For more information on how you can start a group at your home church, go to www.EmbraceGrace.com!
Editor’s Note: This article was first published at Embrace Grace on January 25, 2017, and is reprinted here with permission.
