The Client Connection

by Leslie Hatcher, Center Director

A few weeks ago I received a call on our 24 hour CareLine from a distraught young woman wanting desperately to “talk to someone”. We talked for a bit and then arranged to meet the next day. During our visit, Tara* shared that in the midst of a separation from her husband she had made a terrible mistake – she had a one night stand with a co-worker.

Hope for a Future

Ten weeks pregnant, Tara was not sure who the father was and felt that an abortion was her only choice – the only way to save her marriage. As we discussed her pregnancy options, Tara stated that she had always wanted to be a mother, but she just didn’t want to risk losing her husband to have this child.

Seeing that she had listed “Christian” on her paperwork, I asked her about her faith. She broke down and sobbed when I talked about the forgiveness and hope found in Jesus. As we continued to talk through the situation, she began to understand that although the father may be in question, the mother was not – this was HER baby.

Still scared and confused, I guided Tara to the ultrasound room. During the sonogram she was very surprised to see the noticeable details in fetal development. Tears flowed as she saw the baby’s movement on the monitor – this amazing life growing inside her, the life of her precious baby. Praise God she chose life for her child!

Hope Changes Everything

Later that week another client stopped in to pick up formula for her one year old daughter. Almost two years ago, this client came to First Choice with a story very similar to Tara’s. She was hopeless, seeing abortion as the only solution to a seemingly impossible situation. It was such a blessing to see her smiling face, and to see her beautiful little baby girl happy and well cared for. Both mom and dad have jobs now – and both truly love this sweet baby.

As I marveled at the grace and faithfulness of our Lord and Savior, I know God can do the same in Tara’s life.

Tara and I are now meeting weekly for parenting classes and mentoring sessions, and I eagerly look forward to seeing what God has in store for her in the coming months. Although this path may not be easy, and there are definitely some complicated relationship issues ahead of her, Tara knows that First Choice will be here to support and comfort her along the way.

Everyone at First Choice feels so blessed to be able to offer HOPE to our clients – and to watch as that HOPE brings change in their lives. Thank you for making this possible, we could not do it without your prayers and support!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

~Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

*To protect our client’s identity, Tara has been used in lieu of her real name. Any similarity to an actual person in comparable circumstances is strictly coincidence.