A Gift That Keeps on Giving

A Gift That Keeps on Giving

This Christmas season as I scanned my Instagram feed, I came across a photo of my friend Abby’s son in front of a big tree in her workplace.  It warmed my heart to think of how her life has been changed for the better by a pregnancy decision more than five years ago.

When I first met Abby, she was attending a college in Massachusetts, and had come home to make a decision about an unexpected pregnancy.  It was a difficult decision.  Continuing with her pregnancy meant she might be the only pregnant student at her school.  It might mean lost opportunities.

Some women in her situation might have opted for abortion.  Many do.  In fact, the majority of women having abortions are in their 20s.

Shawn turned 5 this week.  But if Abby had opted for abortion, she would have missed the gift that he is, and so many other gifts his life continues to bring.  They say, “Hindsight is 20/20.” If you’re pondering a pregnancy decision right now, perhaps Abby’s hindsight can help you:

     My son Shawn is this huge, amazing, and brilliant miracle that has blessed my simple small life. He is here because Lighthouse gave me the strength to drive-on, despite my fears and doubts. Lighthouse was strong for me when I simply couldn’t do it alone.

     Shawn’s dad and I had not yet made anything of ourselves, when I found out I was pregnant, and that was probably the scariest part of all. Feeling like we’d never be able to support this child emotionally, spiritually, and financially – because as a couple, we weren’t close to being ready for a child. (And neither of us was individually stable in those areas.)

     I felt like if I had this baby I’d never become anything, and we’d always struggle.

     When I became pregnant, I was a cadet in an Army reserve officer training program (better known as ROTC) – which I believed I would absolutely have to drop out of to take care of this baby. Today I am in the process of submitting my promotion paperwork to Captain (my second promotion since graduating ROTC). Both my husband and I have wonderful and successful careers, and we are even homeowners. Never did I think I’d own my own home! 

     God works miracles in our lives when we stand up for what we know is right, and he will NOT let us fall (even when it feels like we are at times). Lighthouse was the strength and support I needed to get through the dark times, so that today I can have and enjoy my beautiful life and family! Because I have my amazing little miracle to go home to every day, I am eternally grateful to Lighthouse.     

 – Abby

P.S.  If you didn’t make the same choice as Abby, Lighthouse is here to help you grieve the gift you missed.  Please visit www.LifeAfterAbortion.org to learn more.

 

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