A Change Of Heart
Some folks are naturally outspoken. But for some folks, taking a stand can be a real challenge. More often they find themselves “going with the flow,” following the lead of a more dominant person who is close to them. But there are a certain times when you need to take a stand.
Jill found herself in the middle of an abortion clinic, faced with one of those moments. But God sent her a sign and the strength she needed to stand up to the intense pressures to abort and instead do what was right.
Before finding herself in an abortion clinic, Jill thought she was on the right path. She was engaged to the man she loved and ready to settle down to start a life. But those dreams were shattered when she stood alone and embarrassed at the altar, waiting on a groom who never bothered to show up.
As devastated as she was, breaking the emotional tie to a person you love can be tough, even after they’ve wronged you. And so, Jill’s ex-fiancé would pop back into her life from time to time. Then, one day, Jill found herself pregnant.
Her ex-fiancé’s response was to drive her to the abortion clinic. Jill was reluctant, but ready to go along with it. That is, until she saw something she wasn’t supposed to see.
When they arrived at the clinic, two pro-life women were standing outside, pleading with those on their way inside to reconsider. Her ex-fiancé rushed her past, but couldn’t keep Jill from hearing them shout, “Please don’t kill your baby! Jesus loves your baby!”
Once inside, Jill says the clinic kept everything very impersonal. She explains that the “counseling” consisted of two quick questions, and then a sigh, followed by the response, “Well, it’s decided then.” She was shown a movie on the abortion procedure which she describes as “extremely clean, like almost stick figures.” An ultrasound was performed, but Jill wasn’t allowed to see any of it.
But as she went up to pay prior to the procedure, God sent a sign to confirm Jill’s reservations over having the abortion. She was never supposed to see the picture from the ultrasound of her son, but there it was in plain sight. One of the clinic staff had mistakenly left it sitting on top of Jill’s file, and once she saw her baby’s little arms, legs and head, she knew she couldn’t go through with taking his life.
Jill told her ex-fiancé what she’d seen, saying, “This is not right. I saw the baby, on the ultrasound. We must work this out; we must leave this place.”
But her ex-fiancé didn’t feel the same way. Despite her pleas, he just responded, “I can’t.”
The nurse had Jill change into a gown and took her back to one of the rooms. As she sat there on the cold metal table, looking at the tray of instruments that would be used to end her baby’s life, Jill refused to just “go along” anymore. She changed back into her clothes and rushed out of the clinic. All the while, she says the staff members were calling to her, “Where will you go? What will you do?”
Despite the continued pressure, Jill stood firm, replying, “I don’t know, but this, this I know is wrong!”
Jill’s Son, Nicholas Credit: Live Action News
As she walked out the door, Jill says she heard a quiet voice from the corner recommend a crisis pregnancy center. That’s where Jill went, and knew she was in the right place when the receptionist greeted her by saying, “Congratulations on becoming a mother! Congratulations on your motherhood!”
Jill gave birth to her son, Nicholas Joseph, and raised him all on her own. Being a single mother wasn’t easy, but she’s never once regretted her decision.
Jill even went back and thanked the two angels who were outside of the abortion clinic the day she arrived. She’s even remained friends with one of the women over the years. And Jill has her own message for women who are considering or planning an abortion. She says,
“Think back to when you were an innocent, invincible little girl – what were your hopes and dreams? Would that strong girl ever consider killing her baby? I know you planned on growing up and meeting the man of your dreams, falling in love, getting married, having a family, but God has a different plan for you now. Your dreams have been dashed, I know, but His plan for you now is to start that family: even if it is just you and this beautiful baby, everything will be just fine.”
Thank you Jill, for sharing your testimony. And thank you for having the courage to heed God’s call to choose life amidst all of the pressure you faced. We pray Jill’s story will be an inspiration for other women facing the same decision.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3
Credit: Life Site News