What happens . . .

. . . when you get the news that a client chose not to carry her baby to term after leaving the office?

For many of our volunteers and staff, it is a challenge to manage the emotions associated with this news. We ask ourselves, "How could this happen?" We thought the risk was neutralized for the mom and the baby. On some level we grieve for the loss of that baby and for that mother who, even though her initial response to having the abortion may be relief (the most common initial response), we know at some point will deal with the loss of her child.

David O'Leary wrote an article for At the Center magazine, that I remind myself of when discouragement comes. He writes, in part, "Remember your calling. You are called to serve not to save. In our work, we offer help to those in need because of the love and compassion of the Lord Jesus. It is not for us to rescue the lives of the women, men, and children with whom we deal. Our calling is to offer a way, proclaim hope in Christ, and give practical assistance."

The ups and downs of ministering keeps us always mindful of who it is that works the changes in a person's life: it is not us, it is God.

I Corinthians 13:7-8
Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.