6. Reimagine

I always imagined what my life would be like. I would marry the man of my dreams and have 4 kids by the time I was 30. Instead, I found myself in a toxic relationship with an unplanned pregnancy at 30. Life wasn’t turning out how I imagined. Was that it? Was my life over now? 

I decided I was going to have the baby. Now what? What would having the baby actually look like? I lived in a city across the country from my family. I would have to put the baby in daycare. Would I be able to afford daycare? What would work look like now that I had a child? I lived with roommates in an apartment. Would I have to find a new place to live after the baby was born? Who would be in the delivery room with me? It was too overwhelming to think about. 

I made an appointment with my local pregnancy center. I did not know what to expect and was so nervous to go to the appointment. I knew I needed to talk to someone, but I was worried about being judged. Would I speak to some well intended woman who never got into trouble in the past who would just tell me everything would be okay and send me on my way? I had to try anyway. When I got there, a nurse confirmed I was pregnant and offered me prenatal vitamins and an ultrasound. I met with a counselor who talked with me, prayed for me, and provided me with a lot of resources. There was no judgment and she didn’t give me empty promises of everything turning out okay. It was so helpful to speak to someone who understood what I was going through and could help me get my thoughts in order. She assured me the pregnancy center was there to support me and the baby. Most importantly, she reminded me of Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I left feeling so much more confident. I was empowered in my decision to choose life. I wasn’t alone. I had hope. Hope is reimagining what God can do with my life in spite of my circumstances. It was so freeing to know the mistakes of my past wouldn’t dictate my future. 

When I was in Planned Parenthood I felt hopeless. I felt like abortion was my only option. They did not talk to me about how I would feel after the abortion. They didn’t have a list of resources they would provide me with if I decided to keep the baby. I was on my own. The abortion industry tells women that having an abortion is empowering. They tell you pregnancy prohibits you from being able to achieve your dreams. You will never go back to school if you keep the baby. You will never get that promotion at work if you’re focusing your time on raising children. It’s sad that a society that claims to be so pro-women tells women abortion is the only way to have it all. 

But that is not true! 

Pregnancy centers, and groups like them, provide hope to women and girls facing a crisis. They are filled with women who have experienced their own unplanned pregnancies – some decided to have an abortion, some decided to keep the baby, some decided to bless another family with a child through adoption. These women help you reimagine what life will be like because they’ve walked in your shoes. Yes, going back to school will be difficult, but let’s figure out how you can make that happen. Yes, a promotion at work will require sacrifices and creative scheduling, but it is possible. Most importantly, pregnancy centers remind you that you matter to God and there is hope in trusting Him. 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” – Jeremiah 1:5

Getting pregnant was a surprise to me, but it was not a surprise to God. I know that my little one fits perfectly into God’s plan because even though there are unplanned pregnancies, God does not create unplanned people. God has a plan for each and every one of us and I cannot wait to see how He uses this story and this little one to accomplish His purpose and bring Himself glory. 

I could have had an abortion because my pregnancy wasn’t planned and I was afraid. I could have thrown my life away because things weren’t happening as I imagined they would. But, instead I choose to have hope in a God who knows me and has my best interest at heart. 

Love, 

Redeemed Mama

Resources

Most pregnancy centers provide a variety of resources including:

• Information about pregnancy options by trained advocates
• Free pregnancy tests
• Post-decision support (including parenting classes and abortion recovery groups)
• Material resources (including maternity clothes, baby clothes, baby items etc.)
• Limited ultrasounds
• Sexually transmitted disease testing
• Fatherhood classes 

Pregnancy Centers/Support Groups