Your Choice and God’s Will

Written by Mario 

I was fifteen years old and didn’t think much about life.  I just kind of seized the day, being led by selfish desires.  Danielle and I were next door neighbors who befriended each other. After a while she became my escape, the answer to all my problems and vise versa.  Our friendship turned into a type of infatuation that is very dangerous for young people and always takes a turn for the worse.  It wasn’t long before she was pregnant.

When I heard the news, I felt like my world had ended.  What was I going to do with a baby?  My first suggestion was abortion.  Abortion was the cure all, the easy way out to me.  Danielle and her mother had other plans.  They insisted on keeping the baby.  Her family seemed very supportive of her decision.  I continued to try and persuade her other wise but to no avail.  At that point I just accepted the thought of being a dad.

A little more than half way through the pregnancy there came some disturbing news.  We were informed the child was diagnosed with spina bifida, a disorder involving incomplete development of the brain or spinal cord.  That was very heartbreaking to everyone.  Many options were considered, even abortion. Finally adoption was chosen as the next course of action.

Danielle gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on May 19^th 1997.  The child underwent a series of surgeries in his first week on earth.  By the grace of God he endured them all.  Within months a family was sent by God to be Jovohn’s adoptive family. ( His name was later changed to Caleb).

The experience happened so fast it seems.  When I was going through it, I didn’t see God working or His plan.  Now I see His mercy and love.  He took an innocent child birthed out of sin and disobedience, and made him a blessing to the world.  By the direction of the Holy Spirit, Danielle didn’t listen to me urging her to have an abortion.   She followed her heart which was in the hand of God.

This experience has affected my life in so many ways.  For one I have an extended family.  When Caleb was adopted, we agreed to an open adoption.  This means the birth parents can keep in contact and even visit their adopted child.  Through various types of correspondence for the past nine years, I’ve been blessed to see Caleb growing up.  Each time I see a new picture of him it dawns on me that I almost hindered God’s will, which is life.  I’m thankful for His love and forgiveness and for using this as one of the experiences which brought me closer in relationship with Him.  You see you don’t experience God by doing what’s convenient for self, but rather stepping out on faith and trusting in His plan.

I tell this story in all hope of preventing an abortion and to inform people of an alternative which is adoption; in hope of preventing death and choosing life. I won’t tell you that it will be easy, but I will tell you that the blessing will be beyond measure. 

 

 (Click Here to read the story of the amazing family that adopted Caleb)

It is not by accident that you have been directed to this page. If you are pregnant and contemplating abortion there is help. There are centers across the country ready and waiting with the answers you are seeking. Abortion is not the answer, even though it may seem so now. Do not let anyone pressure you into making a decision that will affect you the rest of your life. Yours and your baby’s beating  heart are in the hand of God and  you both are the living handiwork of God. Please click on the following link to find a compassionate, caring center near you. Click here to find local help.

If you have received a difficult diagnosis concerning your unborn child, there is help available through an organization called Be Not Afraid. Click here.