(Save the Storks) — This piece was written by Jenny A. Farrell, a nurse on one of our mobile medical units and the author of the book “Ribbon of Redemption.”
One afternoon, I picked up the phone at Pregnancy Resources, hearing the words that never fail to make my heart race:
“Do you do abortions?”
Those words still have the ability to stop me in my tracks.
You might think having worked for the past eleven years as a nurse for a life-affirming pregnancy center, and now on a Save the Storks mobile unit, this type of call would have become almost “routine.”
But the truth is, those raw conversations reveal what we face on a daily basis—literally life and death.
The young woman’s voice was barely above a whisper and I strained to listen.
I told her we don’t perform or refer for abortions, then quickly moved on to what we do offer—free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, as well as medically documented information to help make an informed decision. I asked her that with well over 25% of pregnancies ending in miscarriage, didn’t it make sense to discover if this was even a viable pregnancy?
Unfortunately, she not only didn’t set an appointment, she wouldn’t even tell me her name. Yet she remained on the line and I cried out to the Lord even while the conversation continued.
When asked what made her feel abortion was her best option, the words came pouring out.
“I can’t tell my mom. She’d be so disappointed in me. And Dad? He would freak out even worse. I’m supposed to go to college. To make them proud.”
“Besides, I’m supposed to be picking out a prom dress, not baby clothes. There’s no way I’m ready to be a mom.”
By that point, it was obvious she was crying and my heart went out to her. What was worse, I could sense she was on the edge of hanging up.
I told her I could only imagine how overwhelmed she must be feeling. That she wasn’t alone and help was available. I also told her the truth—if this was indeed a viable pregnancy then she was already a mom. This wasn’t just a “pregnancy”…it was a boy or a girl, a son or a daughter.
That’s when the connection died.
Calls like that are so hard. Sometimes I replay the conversation over and over, wondering if there was something I could have said differently to convince her to come in. Seeing a heart beating on the ultrasound screen can make all the difference in the world.
In the end, I surrendered her to the Lord, praying that He would put roadblocks between her and an abortion clinic. That He would wrap her in His arms and prompt her to call us again.
Several months later, I received a card from one of my former patients. Immediately, I recalled the lovely blonde with the beautiful smile. I was delighted when I saw the picture of the precious baby girl she’d tucked inside.
But after reading her message, I was puzzled. She’d written,
“Jenny, thank you so much for all you did for me. I know that without you, my baby wouldn’t be here.”
What? That didn’t make sense. Pulling her file, I quickly confirmed that the young woman’s appointment had been relatively routine. She and her boyfriend been excited about the pregnancy. They’d also been very responsive to seeing their little one on the big screen.
So why did she think her child “wouldn’t be here” without me?
Finally, deciding to give the young mother a call, I was shocked to learn she had been the young woman on the phone that day. The one asking about an abortion. She told me that even while she was talking to me, she and her boyfriend had been driving around in search of an abortion clinic.
After hanging up on me she’d started sobbing. Her boyfriend had quickly pulled over to the side of the road.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t believe it.”
“You can’t believe what? What did she say?”
“She said I’m already a mother…this is already a son or a daughter. What are we going to do?”
After that, the two of them sat in the car for a long time, alternately crying and talking. The truth that they were, in a very real sense, already parents, had changed everything.
Soon, they’d gained the courage to tell their parents, surprised to discover their reaction wasn’t nearly as bad as they had anticipated. A week later, they’d come in for an ultrasound and I’d had the privilege of introducing the young couple to their baby.
The same baby they’d planned to abort prior to calling Pregnancy Resources.
I love happy endings, don’t you? It’s a beautiful thing when God chooses to pull back the curtain. To give us a glimpse of His love and power at work—even when a situation looks bleak. What an encouragement to continue fighting the good fight!
I would like to extend a huge thank you to those of you who are providing a way to minister to men and women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Each life saved is absolutely priceless.
For just $30 a month, you can partner with us in empowering women and saving lives of innocent children. Our mission is to make abortion unimaginable and we can’t do it alone.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published at Save the Storks on May 3, 2017, and is reprinted here with permission.
- If you are making a decision about abortion, see Clinic Quotes, 10 Reasons Not to Have an Abortion, Abortion Procedures, and What to Do if Your Boyfriend (or Anyone) is Pressuring You to Have an Abortion.
- You can also check out Stand Up Girl and Option Line or Pregnancy Line to find local resources, help, and trained people to talk to in your area.
- See if Save the Storks has a mobile unit in your area!
- If you’ve begun an abortion, taken an abortion pill, and are regretting your decision, the 24-hour, nurse-staffed hotline at Abortion Pill Reversal may be able to give you information on reversing your abortion.
- Men involved in a pregnancy situation can check out Abortion and Men and Abortion Exploits Women.
