Words Every Woman Considering Abortion Needs to Hear

Our son holding his baby girl

who also would not have seen life

had I listened to a doctor 

and ignored the voice in my heart.

Reading the Christmas story this morning reminded me of my own unexpected and troubling pregnancy 38 years ago.

"You are pregnant. Perhaps you should consider an abortion." The doctor's words stabbed my heart. Beauty and ugly, life and death spoken in one breath.

After two successful, but complicated, baby deliveries, I was advised by my doctor that I was taking a risk and to have no more babies. But here I was pregnant with baby three. This delivery could mean my death. Joy and fear filled me.

The virgin Mary was afraid too. In those days an unmarried pregnant woman was sentenced to stoning. What would her love Joseph say or do?

My baby reveal came from a doctor offering no hope or plan or encouragement other than

 "abortion."

Mary's baby reveal came from an angel assuring her,

"The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid."

Funny, I didn't know it then, but I know it now, Mary and I both responded in much the same way.

Eight months pregnant, still facing death, I surrendered my life and my baby to God when I prayed at my kitchen window,

 "I give my life and my baby to you, Lord.

Do with us whatever you please."

God pleased to do a lot. Fear left my heart and peace entered. I still felt that I may die, but I knew whatever happened, the Lord was with me and I didn't need to be afraid.

Mary, as well, surrendered with her prayer

"I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

Two pregnancies. Both brought forth precious baby boys.

How will your pregnancy end? An abortion or a baby? If you are making that choice, please don't listen to words that offer no hope, plan, or encouragement.

Hear God's Words to you:

 The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid.

 There is hope for you and your baby. 

There is life after birth.

Perhaps you aborted your baby. Please know the Lord is still with you. He is merciful and loving. God will forgive you and heal your pain. Surrender to Jesus Christ. He was born to be your Savior. Just ask Him.

 If you want to know more about the Christian life, have any questions, or desire prayer please contact me.I'd love to help you on your journey.

May this blog bring Splashes of Serenity to a woman making a difficult decision today,

A Teenage Pregnancy Wake-up Call

What do you think of when you hear of unwed teen moms? I confess I haven't given that subject much thought since I breathed a sigh of relief when my own three children walked down the aisle without babies in arms. My opinion changed last week when I spoke to Teen MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers).

Listening to their stories, hearing their concerns, and watching their pain-filled tears, I realized I had it all wrong when it came to teen pregnancy. These girls were precious. They loved their babies and lived to do the right thing. Some were abused by their parents. One found her father dead when she was four years old. Most didn't have nice things to say about the men who fathered their babies or the schools that rejected them or their peers who mocked them by deliberately pushing heavy objects into their blossoming bellies.

These girls sought love and found pain. Society's opinion of them lowered their already low self esteem. These young girls care for their little ones, look into their infant's eyes and pray their child will be free from the pain they feel.

What about us? What can we do to bring a splash of serenity into their impossible-to-imagine young lives? I applaud TeenMOPS and Pregnancy Care Centers who reach out and help. As Christians and as churches let's love these girls and their babies like Jesus loves them--unconditionally.

May the person who is without sin cast that first stone. Afterall, except by the grace of God go I. Praying for hurting girls whose greatest sin is their desire to be loved. May they find that love in us because Jesus lives in our hearts.

Splashes of Serenity,

Elaine

For Those Who Hurt on Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, not everyone is celebrating. Some are remembering children who send them flowers from Heaven. I've had the awesome privilege of sitting with mothers as their babies died. It's a sacred place where the presence of God is so evident--I felt I might touch Him. The loving arms of Jesus surround these dear parents as they let go and place their precious one back into the arms of The Precious One. In the most awful of life's imaginings, Peace that defies human understanding and could only come from God is experienced.

Why do babies die? Why do some live to be 94? I do not know. I do know we need not fear, because God ministers comfort we cannot understand.

This past winter, Reverend W. Emerson Ackerman went to live with Jesus. He was 94. He joins a baby named Beverly Maxine, gone to Heaven many years ago when she was two days old. Reverend Ackerman sat with Dr. and Mrs. David Reese as their beautiful blessing named Beverly returned to her Creator. He wrote a poem for Beverly's funeral. It touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours.

"We like to feel those infant cheeks,
Tho' ne'er to be by earthly mother caressed.
Yet, better still...
E'en now are nestled 'gainst our Savior's breast.

The tiny hands,
Tho' destined not for use in time's employ,
Yet, better still...
Do clap at each sinner's repentance with joy.

That unspoken voice,
Tho' not in earth's hue and cry to raise,
Yet, better still...
Will learn in Heaven our Lord's blest Name to praise.

We like to feel--yet because it's real
And our beloved Lord has willed it--to say,
'Tis not better...
It's best!'"

--Reverend W. Emerson Ackerman

I pray today for women who hurt: For those whose heart's desire for a child lies hollow in a barren womb, may Jesus fill your life with love and joy and contentment. For those suffering from their decision to abort an unborn, may you know that Jesus will forgive you and make you whole again. For moms whose children are estranged from them, may Jesus restore your relationship. For moms whose children walk in the ways of darkness, may Jesus grab hold of these children and place them on a straight path. For mothers who know the sting of the death of a child, may Jesus fill your empty heart with His comfort and peace.

Thank You for our children, Lord. I know they really belong to You, and You can take them back at any moment. May we not live in fear of that truth, but in trust. You assure us that if the worst happens, Your loving arms will carry us through difficult days. Everything under Heaven belongs to you. There couldn't be a better parent and that brings me peace.

May Jesus fill your days with His Serenity,

Elaine