After the initial shock of learning about my pregnancy wore off, I felt myself sink deeper and deeper into the waters of the storm. I lay paralyzed in bed, unable to move or sleep, begging God to save me... until one night I felt like it was the end.
As I sat with my best friend on the couch, I confessed to her that I could not have this baby. As scary as abortion sounded, the storm inside me felt scarier. I sobbed and felt my stomach churn, not from morning sickness, but from guilt and shame. My friend held me and tried to soothe my sobs and fear. She suggested we go talk to our church leaders and reach out to LifeClinic.
That next morning, I gathered my courage and googled “LifeClinic,” and took a deep breath as I clicked the "call us" option. I was immediately greeted by a warm voice that patiently listened as I nervously explained why I was calling. I was surprised to hear that I could come in for an ultrasound in two days. I accepted the appointment and anxiously waited for the time to arrive.
Finally, the appointment day arrived, and I entered the clinic doors greeted by warm and friendly faces. After filling out some paperwork, I was escorted to a room with a patient advocate, a nurse, and a sonographer, to explain my story and ensure my safety surrounding the situation that had evolved. They listened to me without judgment. Their faces were filled with kindness, warmth, and care. They offered me safety to share how helpless I felt. Most importantly, they lifted the guilt and shame from my shoulders that were weighing me down as they explained these simple truths that I had known, but was too weak to cling onto alone.
They shared truth: God loves me. He gave his only Son to pay the price for our sins. This new life growing tenderly inside me is a gift from God!
As the sonographer spread gel on my belly, and I heard the strong heartbeat of this miracle baby, nestled and protected inside my body, there was no denying it. I am a mommy. I have a baby. God has blessed me with a miracle that was completely unexpected!
