Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

Article about Sowing Seeds of Faith and Internet Ministry

“Abortion: From Debate to Ministry"

A local church group was meeting regularly at their pastor’s house to pray. One concern was a high school senior named Jody, a star volleyball player and honors student who recently attempted suicide. “Why? She seemed to be doing so well. It doesn’t make sense!” said one group member.

“I visited her in the hospital today. She’s pregnant,” the pastor replied. “Her boyfriend abandoned her. She’s afraid to tell her parents. Jody feels that she has no hope. When she leaves that hospital, she may try to commit suicide again.” the pastor forlornly told the group. “We really need to pray for her.”

Judy Trimmer was in the group that night and while in prayer she felt an urging to visit Jody and share her own experiences. “I’ve never felt this way before but I really believe that I can help her,” Judy said.

The next day, Judy went to Jody’s hospital room after work. “How are you doing, Jody?”

“Who wants to know?” Jody said with sarcasm and suspicion in her voice.

“My name is Judy Trimmer. I’m a member of a church group that has been praying for you this past week. As I was praying, I felt led to come and talk with you. I heard about your pregnancy…”

“Whoa, hold it a second. I don’t know you and I certainly don’t want to talk about my pregnancy with you or anyone else. I don’t need your ‘high and mighty’ church folks interfering with my life. As soon as I get out of here I’m going to have an abortion and that will be the end of all my problems. So, take your judgment and your religion somewhere else. I don’t need you, your prayers or your church!”

Our Newest Book may be our best yet.

331 Pages, Over 140 Devotions.

Now on sale.

Click Here for more information

Mention abortion in a crowded room and you will instantly start an argument. So, why write a story on the subject when the likely result will just be another squabble. For me, there are three reasons:

Abortion is about when life actually begins and as people of God we must always be concerned about other people’s lives.
Abortion now affects so many people. Some statistics estimate as many as 55 million abortions per year are done world wide.
A story I wrote over three years about a young lady who had an abortion has consistently remained the number one, “most read” page on our Sowing Seeds Ministry website. Why?

Yet, for all the emotion involved the subject of abortion is usually only treated as a heated debate between pro-choice and pro-life. Pro-choice argues for the right of the mother to choose what is best for her family. What is removed is only a fetus and therefore regrettable but secondary to the needs of the mother. Pro-life argues for the basic rights of the unborn baby. Life begins at conception, not birth. So, an abortion is killing an innocent child. But you cannot argue pro-choice or pro-life positions in a vacuum. Real people are dramatically altered by each decision. Real people like Jody and her baby.

There was a long moment of silence after Jody’s outburst. Judy quietly prayed for God to give her the wisdom to use just the right words. Finally, she said… “Are you finished?”

Feeling a little sheepish and uncomfortable, Jody nodded.

“Not long ago, I was in much the same position as you. I had just moved here and was working hard to make it on my own. I was recently divorced and terribly lonely. My first husband came to visit our daughter but I decided to join them for dinner just for old time’s sake. I made a huge mistake that night and later discovered that I was pregnant. I was embarrassed and simply could not afford to take care of another baby. So, taking what I thought was the most sensible solution, I had an abortion.”

Jody, by this time, was listening with intense interest to Judy’s story. “So having an abortion was a good thing for you… right?”

To read Part 2, click here: “Abortion: From Debate to Ministry” Part 2

You can also see the "most read" page on our web site by clicking here: "Abortion: A Personal Story"

Do you want to join us in prayer for others? Do you need prayer? Click Here.

Last modified February 28, 2002.

Would you like to receive your own weekly devotions? Be involved in our prayer chain?