This past January there was a lot of chatter on television and the Internet surrounding the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. While over the years I have not thought much about it, the buzz online stirred up thoughts that began circling around in my head about one fateful decision I made 39 years ago concerning the birth of my firstborn child.
I was 24 and my husband Michael was 29. I was working as a hairdresser in a prestigious hair salon when I discovered that I was pregnant. I was excited about the idea of having a child, but I was concerned about whether or not we could afford one. When I married my husband I had also married his debts.
I immediately called my husband with the good news only to find out that he wasn’t as excited as I was.
He said he wanted me to get an abortion.
“What?” I couldn’t believe he said that to me. I was surprised to find out that we had such different reactions to this pregnancy. He had always wanted more than one child, and I wanted less than five. However, I thought that he believed as I did, that an abortion was the shedding of innocent blood.“I am not killing this baby!” I said to him.
Even though I did not have any church or Bible teaching on the subject, I knew that there was a baby growing on the inside of me and the idea of ending its life was out of the question.
In December of 1974 I gave birth to a 7lb., 6oz., baby girl.
In the early years of our marriage, my husband’s job kept him on the road traveling most of the time so it was left up to me to raise our daughter the first few years of her life. Four years after she was born, our small family relocated to New York, where the home base of my husband’s company was located. I soon discovered I was pregnant with our second child.
Michael’s reaction to this second pregnancy was not the same as the first. Our daughter had been such a delight to us that any fears my husband had about having children quickly disappeared.
I surrendered my life to God when our daughter was in third grade.
We attended a church where the uncompromised Word of God was being taught. It was a small church and my children sat next to me every Wednesday night and Sunday morning as the pastor taught the congregation. After I learned about the power of God and how to take the promises of God and turn them into prayers, I began to pray every day for my children. I was able to encourage and instruct them in the Word of God in everything that we did.
Then I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997.
My daughter was by my side constantly speaking words of faith she had learned over the years. She would remind me that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and that With Godall things are possible (Matthew 19:26), even my healing.
Deuteronomy 30:19, Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live.
39 years ago I chose life and I am so thankful that I did.
Michael and I both are so very grateful that we did not abort our little girl. Our daughter has grown into a lovely Proverbs 31 woman. She is married and has given us three wonderful grandchildren. They are being taught the principles and character of God and to have a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. She is a wife, stay-at-home mom, blogger, designer, and entrepreneur. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, running, and reading. She and her family also enjoy traveling the country with Michael and me in our RV. She has touched the lives of many people throughout the years with her peaceful and kind manner.
The joy that our daughter has given to us over the years is priceless.
I made the choice for life and my descendants are now a living testimony to the goodness of God because of that choice.
If you find yourself being pressured into terminating your pregnancy by having an abortion, I want to encourage you to remember my story concerning my daughter. God has plans of a future and hope for both you and your child. If you cannot find support from your family, there are many people and agencies that will lend a helping hand. Click here for a comprehensive resource.
My prayer for all moms is that you will find as much joy and delight in your child as I have had in mine.
Are you struggling with a hard choice?
Martha Wentz has been married for 41 years and is a mother of 2 grown children, grandmother of 3 small children. She ministerd to children, ages 7-9, for 18 years. She also ministered for 9 years in Victorious Overcomers, a support group. Her body was healed of cancer and her marriage saved from divorce by the power & mercy of the One True Living God! She is the author of Unforgiveness, Cancer, and Healing. Click here to follow her on Twitter.
photo credit: storyvillegirl via photopincc