She is not just our patient.
She is the girl in the checkout line in front of you at the grocery store.
She is the girl beside you in the pew at church.
She might even be your relative.
And She is in need of strength.
Each patient entering our centers has a story. Each patient has a unique background, financial situation, and nationality. But, they have one thing in common: Fear.
Nearly every patient we see is scared. They are facing a huge life change. They thought their life was heading in direction A and, upon the news of their pregnancy test, they feel their life is headed in direction Z. The unknown is scary. The thought of being a mom is frightening. And the thought of possibly doing “this” alone seems unbearable.
Time and time again, fear grips our girls. So much so, it can be paralyzing. It’s here that we ALL have the opportunity to step up. Maybe you’re thinking, “Me, step up? It’s not my problem.” But, if we take hold of what we say we believe, we all have a responsibility which is stated in Mark 12:30-31:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.
It is not just her responsibility. It’s all of our responsibility to help love these girls. We can love them by helping them discover their God-given strength; to discover the strength God’s given to those whom He’s chosen to be moms.
The minute that baby is conceived is the moment that woman becomes a mother. Carrying to term or aborting that baby cannot take away that woman’s identity as a mother.
At Hope Women’s Centers it may seem like we have so many opportunities to share with each girl that they have all they need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). As our patients have stated the following:
My fiancé and I had to stand up and take responsibility.This is not the baby’s fault.– TatianaBeing pregnant with my baby, Evaluna, gave me a purpose and helped me be courageous enough to carry to term. – FabiolaThe staff at Hope were very compassionate and helpful. I left wanting to meet my baby and not live with regret. – NathalieTheir [Hope’s Staff] “Love,” helped me choose life. Love comes in all shapes and forms. Having love makes life move a little easier. At Hope they were so helpful. I’m really glad I was able to get help from them. Hope is truly a blessing. – Natasha
But you have just as many opportunities to make a difference as we do! You may be thinking; how can I do that? I don’t know anyone who is pregnant. Or, I don’t have the time. The most important thing you can do to help these girls discover their God-given strength is to pray.
Pray for:
Each expecting mother to find her God-given strength to keep her baby and raise him/her for God’s glory.
An opportunity to be used by God in your community – if not for an expectant mother, then anyone in need of strength.
The Lord to speak through each Patient Advocate in the counseling room.
There is nothing that makes us love a man [or woman] so much as praying for him [or her]. – William Law I believe in prayer. It’s the best way we have to draw strength from heaven. – Josephine Baker
So, my challenge to you this week is to pray for the young women in your neighborhood, your church, and those coming into our centers. They all need our love and support to discover the inner strength God has given each one for the task that lays ahead of them.
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