Miracle Couple
I say on many occasions that Tony and I are Miracles of Mercy and God's Love. Tony and I became pregnant when I was 17 and he 21. We were both raised in church. I was active in my church youth group and Tony a full time bass player and vocalist in a Gospel group. We knew the Word, but chose to ignore it to fulfill our own desires. But soon being pregnant and not married, put a cramp in our Religious Fairytale we managed to play so well. Tony was ready to step up to the plate and make me an "honest woman". However with my uncle the Pastor, my other uncle the youth director ...well my pride could not let me face them and expose my sin. I convinced Tony abortion was the "easy" out.
So that rainy, cold November morning, we lied yet again to my parents and said we were going to visit one of his relatives and headed off to the abortion clinic in Atlanta. I was greeted by an escort that exclaimed "just ignore them, I'm here to help". Demonstrators were pleading, begging for the chance to talk to me, to save the little being now growing inside me. I just wanted to be done and away from this horrible place.
Once inside they quickly took my money, and escorted me inside a "counseling room". But it was far from counsel. Its was a quick review of the procedures, followed by signing statements of physical dangers then an offer of a Valium to easy my tension. I was then sent to the ultrasound room. Yes I was pregnant and the tech actually showed me the baby right there on ultrasound. I paused ...blown away. Then quickly rushed to the next room to undress from the waist down. I remember the small talk while the doctor prepared for the procedure, then he said "lay still, don't move what ever you do....don't move" Then the sound of the vacuum, then the twisting gut wrenching pain that continued for 2 minutes. I immediately started to cry. The recovery room was full of broken hearts. No one "wanted" to be there.
Tony was devastated but didn't say a word. But I know he regretted the choice as much as I did. Nearly 5 years came and went and not even a word was uttered about the abortion. God had bless us with a daughter but we waited trying not to get too attached for fear our punishment of God's wrath would surely come and take her from us. But it never came. We were starting to feel the effects of our penned up anger and frustrations. Divorce was eminent. Then I found out I was pregnant. I would just get another abortion I said. But Tony stood up to me and said no. Our son was born 8 months later. One of the many night of depression I began to cave in. Seeking an end to my life. I cried out for God to kill me or Forgive me. And He said " I have forgiven you, give me your pain" Life began that night. Shortly there after Tony too found a personal relationship with Christ. It was still to be two more years before a brave couple stood before the church and gave their testimony of God's healing of their abortion and His restoration power. That night "our abortion" became "our daughter". The Holy Spirit named her Jessica Rae. She is awaiting her parents in Heaven.
So much has happened in the last 16 years. I found out through volunteering at the local Crisis Pregnancy Center that more than 90% of couples that choose abortion end up splitting up. More than half become fall to some kind of substance abuse. By God's hand of Mercy that has not happened. But instead God has allowed us to minister to other couples left alive but wounded by abortion. And our children....well they are blessed beyond belief. My daughter is gifted to sing with a voice like an angel and my son has the heart of compassion that amazes me daily. God has brought Tony and I into a permanent love relationship. But we have determined that our lives will glorify the Father as we share HIS LOVE to those who seek him...and even those who don't but want to. Is that you?