Heartbeat Press - November 2023 Edition

Abby Johnson - Beauty from Ashes 

    After walking out of her abortion clinic for the last time in 2009, Abby Johnson had no idea what the future would hold. She knew she could never enable another abortion and she had been "taken in" by Pro-Lifers at the local Coalition for Life, but, despite those small favors, she couldn't help but think that there was no possibility of redemption for a woman who had wholeheartedly sold abortion for years. Try as she might, Abby couldn't find any clear steps towards healing and forgiveness. Months later, there were still no clear answers, but Abby had begun telling her story at Pro-Life conventions in the hope that her testimony would bring healing to other women. It was at one of these conventions, Unidos por la Vida (United for Life) in Los Angeles, while walking through a back hallway, that Abby first met Annette. 

    As a current employee of Planned Parenthood, Annette had been reluctant to attend the convention even when her boyfriend insisted for the sake of their relationship. But, once there, Abby's story had so moved Annette that she had desperately sought her out afterwards. Barred from reaching Abby directly, Annette shouted Abby's name, desperately trying to get her attention. She didn't want to work for Planned Parenthood anymore and knew she couldn't stay but she had no idea how to leave. When Abby came over and reached through the gate to give Annette the warmest hug she had ever experienced, she knew she had just found her lifeline. 

After the convention, Abby badly wanted to help Annette leave her situation, but, after hours of searching the web and calling every resource she knew, Abby couldn't find one ministry that offered help for abortion workers who wanted to leave the industry. In fact, many organizations specifically condemned abortionists for their actions, refusing to show them any compassion. This reality cut Abby to the quick, not only because it left truly repentant abortionists no options (though their awakening should have been a joyous occasion), but also because it revealed a horrible double standard in the Pro-Life movement. Pro-Lifers had whole-heartedly accepted Abby when she had sought an escape and she was now thought of as a powerful voice in the fight for life, but only a few months prior she had been no different than Annette, trapped in a tense situation with no one reaching out to help her. Would the Pro-Life movement deny all the powerful testimonies that could result from mercy-driven repentance because it had forgotten simple truths like those found in Micah 6:8? Was Abby the only exception? 

    Then it struck her. If the Pro-Life movement was to see all the good that could come from individuals leaving the abortion industry, it needed to know that workers were actually seeking an escape. To do that, workers needed support so they could feel empowered to leave and Abby, as the poster child for abortion repentance, could provide that support. In November 2011, And Then There Were None, a non-profit organization specifically geared towards abortion workers with the goal of helping them leave the industry, was born. The organization's on-going ministry has shown mercy to hundreds. Its outreach has proved to the Pro-Life movement that redemption is possible for anyone and that mercy should be a key aspect of the fight for life. And, more than anything else, And Then There Were None has nurtured Abby's own healing, proving to her that she was redeemed for a reason.

    On the morning of May 4, 2019, Abby found herself reflecting on the unprecedented course her life had taken over the past ten years and the Lord's mercy that had permeated every moment of that time. Reflecting on her past was not new to Abby. She had parsed through it many times since leaving Planned Parenthood in 2009, but on this specific day the blessings of her transformed life were culminating in a very special way. By all rights, she shouldn't be where she was on that morning. She shouldn't have experienced the grace and forgiveness that had so totally overwhelmed her life. But, here she was, sitting in the back of a mobile ultrasound van in Times Square, New York, ready to proclaim the Pro-Life message in the most profound way.

    The sound of a heartbeat, steady and strong, reverberated through every corner of Times Square. The third trimester ultrasound of Abby's seventh child was being witnessed by millions, Pro-Life and Pro-Abortion alike, as a striking testimony to the humanity of the preborn. And all Abby Johnson could do was cry tears of joy. For her child, for everyone who could hear his message, and for herself. The woman who had once carelessly sentenced thousands of children to death was now the vessel through which their humanity was being proclaimed. The Lord had truly raised Abby out of the ashes of her own choices and was working through her in a spectacular way.  

Sources: Fierce Mercy, Wikipedia, And Then There Were None, Biblia.com 

Photo Credit: Liberty University 

Dear Past Self

Dear Past Self, 

Hello, Rachel. How have you been? It's been a really long time since we've talked. Several years in fact. I didn't mean for it to be so long, but the years have gone very fast and a lot of things have happened that required my attention. But I thought it was about time we caught up.

If I remember correctly, you're nine years old and have just started forth grade. You like reading, tree climbing, and generally being outside. You spend most of your time doing one of these activities or playing with your little sister, Abbie. Your favorite color is blue, your hair is still bright blonde since you spend so much time outside, and you always seem to have a smile on your face. You're a little shy around strangers, but it only takes you a little while to get comfortable with them, after which you're happy, bubbly, and usually the loudest one in the group. I have always loved your spirit at this age. You never let anything hold you back. You were carefree, and the whole universe had possibilities. 

You're nine years old; what a great age to be! In fact, it's going to turn out to be your favorite age. You're almost double digits so you feel very grown up and important, but you're still young enough that your biggest problems in life are picking how you want your hair styled in the morning and how much time you can spend outside before it gets too dark. You don't have a care in the world that can't be solved by a hug from your mom.

How I wish life had stayed that way! Though you can't fathom it right now, you're going to grow up. You're going to grow up into the person that I am today. I can hardly believe sometimes that you and I are the same person; we've changed so much. We may look the same - you really don't change in appearance that much as you get older - but in many other ways I am no longer the little girl who was so excited to be turning double digits. 

At the time of my writing this, I am 19 years old, ten years older than you, my dear past self. I've grown into a tall, reflective, very opinionated young adult who still can't believe how old she is sometimes. I still love the outdoors, though I don't climb trees anymore. I am still an avid reader, and I have also tried my hand at writing essays and poetry. I am much quieter than I used to be, but that doesn't mean I've lost my spunkiness; I'm quiet but that only means I'm loud on the inside. My smile is still bright and I use it often; nothing could take that away, not even the problems that I have had to face as an adult.

I doubt that you, my nine-year old self, could fathom some of the problems that I have had to face. They would seem foreign and strange to you; at nine years old, you never knew these problems existed. At nine years old, you can't imagine going to college, so you have no idea how hard it was for me to step away from my first year of school because of my deep convictions. You're almost always happy, so you have no idea what it feels like to fall into depression over and over again when things seem awful. You know beyond the shadow of a doubt that your friends are friends forever who always have your back, so you have no idea how painful it was when I had to let a friend go because he didn't value my friendship. 

Maybe it's because I'm older and aware of more things; I see good in the world, but I can also see evil. Life no longer seems easy. I've been through a lot, but I've come out the other side. I've survived. I survived because of you, my younger self.

I want you to know just how proud I am of you. You're only nine right now, but your spirit is the same spirit that lives in me. I may have grown up, but my spirit - the spirit you gave me - is still the same. Your joyful, bubbly, childlike hope is what got me through all of my hard times; it sustains me even now. You, nine-year old Rachel, are so incredibly strong. Who knew that you could weather storms that make my heart sink? I had no idea you could carry me through so much.

Little Rachel, you will grow up and face many trials and much pain. But you will make it through all right. You'll have some scars, you'll have moments you can't forget, and you'll wish you could have stayed nine years old forever. But don't despair. I'm standing here today as proof that you are strong enough to grow up. I know everything that you are going to go through in the next few years because I went through it first. The important thing is, I made it. You will, too.

Growing up may seem daunting. There will be times that you'll wish you didn't have to struggle through hardships, but your spirit will help you keep going. You're strong enough to grow up, and when you do, I'll be waiting for you. 

Photo Credit: Tina Hollenbeck, Jeff Hollenbeck 

Welcome Fall 2018

I can't believe it's fall already; the days are so busy and go by so fast I hardly noticed summer ending. The stifling dampness of June passed me by, as did the sunny days of July. Only when a chilly wind sliced through the humid days of August did I realize that a new season was coming.

Fall. That wonderful time of year where everything is nippy but not quite frigid. When you have to wear a jacket but not gloves. When you have an excuse to pull out your throw blankets and whip up some steaming apple cider. I've always loved fall for all those reasons and more, so I am super exited now that the season is official. In honor of September 22, I thought I would give autumn a proper welcome.

Welcome, Fall.
It's been a while. You went away last year when winter blew in. You've waited for spring to sprinkle its flowers and birds everywhere, and stood quietly as summer sweated and humidified the air. But now you're back, with your chilly breeze and colorful landscapes and I can't wait to see the season unfold. Fall, you always bring the most beautiful changes. What other season perfectly mixes bright golden leaves with deep red ones, or expertly pairs round pumpkins with dry spiky corn stalks. It's such a nice diversion from the stickiness of summer or the dampness of spring that I always look forward to it. I can't wait for you, Fall. I've always enjoyed walking outdoors when all the leaves are changing or picking apples that you've ripened them to a crispy red or even sitting inside watching the season roll past my window as I sip hot cider. There is nothing better than the first deep breath of Autumn air; it seeps into the lungs and leaves a refreshing chill that has the slightest hit of cinnamon. That first breath smells like dry leaves and pumpkin pie, like apples and honey. And sometimes it even smells like Thanksgiving turkey. This is why I look forward to your return every year, Fall; you're a special season unlike any other and you bring with you comfort, joy, and family. So welcome back, Fall. Let's enjoy this season and all the wonderful things it has to offer.

*****
Photo Credit: MTL Blog

Prayer Blog - The New Year

Oh, where oh where did the year 2017 go? It's hard to believe that we've all lived through another year on this earth, we've all come through another 365 days and are ready for another year to begin. No matter how your year went, whether it was a good one or bad, I want you to look back upon it one more time before we face 2018.

What was the best part of the year - maybe when you finished school and graduated, or maybe you finally paid off you house loan. Maybe the best part was that special moment when you drove your new car for the first time, or maybe when you found that your family of two was about to turn into three. I'm sure there were many wonderful and happy moments; I'm sure that the memories of them will stay in your mind for a long time.

But, of course, there were sad times too. Times when you wished that the year would just end so that you could move on to next year, and you just wanted to start over. Maybe your pet died or maybe a very good friend or family member. Perhaps money was tight and you struggled to make ends meet. Maybe things just didn't go as you had planned and no matter how hard you tried you just couldn't dig yourself out of the hole you seemed to have fallen into.

And, true, every minute of every day is filled with ups and downs, and no year is ever the same as the last. But, no matter how good or bad things get, there is always hope, because you are never alone. God is always with you, year in and year out, through every trial and joy and in every season of life. You never need to be afraid because God will be there to walk with you in hard times and carry you when you can't go any further. The Bible says, "He will not leave you or forsake you," and those are words you can trust.

Prayer:
Dear God,
We pray that you will be with us in the new year, that you will enable us to enter it gracefully and without fear. We pray that you will help us trust you this year and give you all the glory that you are due, in every moment of every day. No matter the problem, let us give you all that we have this year. Never let us forget that we owe you everything and that we are never complete without giving you all we can. To you be the glory in this coming year.


Thank you to all my loyal readers for a wonderful year in which you've shown me a lot of support. I hope you have enjoyed what 2017 brought you on this blog and I hope you will continue to read it in 2018. Have a wonderful new year and a blessed year in general. 
                                                                                                                            - Your Author

The Change - Part 2

This is Part 2 of the story. Read Part 1 here.

*****

Mr. Louis worked in a big office building downtown; he always went to work in clean, pressed suits and spiffy, shiny shoes. Tommy always said he wanted to be just like daddy when he grew up, which made David Louis very proud!

As David drove up the driveway, he was surprised  to see that none of the house lights were on. He was even more surprised when he put his key up to the the lock and it swung open freely. A small panic gripped David's heart; this wasn't like Helen, there had to be a reason for this odd behavior. Something was wrong!

Rushing into the dark house, stubbing his toe on the radiator, banging his hip on the kitchen island, and falling flat on his knees, David was in a tizzy.

"Dear, we have lights, you know," Helen's voice spoke from the far corner of the room.

Standing up and fumbling for the light switch, David asked a very simple question. "Why are the lights off and why are you sitting here?"

It was such a simple question, but after hearing it, Helen's face pinched up and she burst into tears. Taken by surprise, David rushed over and encircled his wife in his strong arms.

"What's wrong? Tell me!"

Through tears and sniffles, the whole story came out. Through it all, David's expression went from worried to shocked to horrified. After the conclusion of the story, husband and wife sat together in silence for a few minutes. Then, taking his wife in his arms again, David spoke to her tenderly.

"Darling, this is a terrible problem and we must fix it, but you must know I don't blame you."

Helen breathed a sigh of relief and allowed herself to sink into her husband's chest. The two shared a long moment to gather their strength. They would need it for the battle ahead.

Changing Seasons (a Poem)

Autumn comes and then is gone,
It's as short as the early morning dawn.
Time to harvest is at hand,
As golden color spreads across the land.
Everyone prepares for snow,
But do not despair; there's one thing to know.
The snow may come and cover the land,
But spring is always close at hand.
The wind blows across the earth
Fall is always what it's worth.
For it prepares us for the coming snow,
And saves us from the winter's blow.

Brave Fathers (of Girls)

When your daughter was born, you fell in love that minute; she was so small and helpless and you vowed to protect "your little girl." You watched her grow into a sweet girl who loved to play dress-up, and you played with her. She grew even more and you watched her transform from a girl into a young woman, a young woman you could be proud of. You stood by her in her sadness, happiness, her first crush even though you dreaded it, and you even stood by her when she went on her first date, even though you wished you could have gone with her to "protect her." And then it came! Your daughter came home with an engagement ring; you had met the boy and you approve but as you walk your little girl down the aisle, you remember the first time you held her and a tear came to your eye.

You are a brave father, a father of a girl. Many people think that a boy is more difficult to raise than a girl but this is not true. A father who can raise a girl with love and empathy is a true man. The typical stereotype of a man is a tough, hard nosed, hunter who should have sons to follow in his footsteps. But a true man can not only raise boys but girls too; the man who can play dress-up with his daughter and stay her daddy until all eternity is truly a man. I commend the brave father who is not only a dad to his girl but he's also a playmate, a fall cushion, a prince of  play time, and a substitute cook when mom's away. These are the brave fathers.

I would like to take this time to thank my dad for being so wonderful, He is everything that I described in this essay: a caring, loving man who is the best dad my sister and I could ever have.

The Change - Part 1

This post is only one part of a serial story. The subject of this serial is a touchy one in America in this day and age. 
It may offend some people but that but that would be there choice, not my intention.

"God was angry with the earth because they didn't know him anymore.He was sorry he had created man, every single one of them, everyone aside from Noah. So God told Noah to build a huge boat called an,"

"Ark, an ark!" Tommy cut in. This was his favorite Bible story and Mrs. Louis loved telling it to him.

"Yes, that's right. So after the ark was built, God told Noah to put two of every kind of animal and bird in the ark. So Noah loaded them two by two."

"Then Noah went into the ark. It rained for a long time, maybe even a whole week," Tommy interrupted again, this time jumping up and waving his arms.

"It rained for forty days and nights," Helen Louis continued. "After it stopped raining, Noah sent a dove out of the ark. The first time it came back with nothing, but the second time it bought back a fresh olive twig, so Noah knew that land was out there. The rain dried up and Noah left the ark."

Helen smiled. The next part of the story was Tommy's favorite so she waited for him to tell it.

"And in the sky," Tommy said, standing up dramatically on his chair, "there was a rainbow, and the colors were red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and - and violet!"

"And do you know what the rainbow symbolizes?" his mother asked.

Tommy smiled from ear to ear, and he bellowed out his answer: "Gays!"

Helen sat back in her chair. She had not expected this answer. She looked at her son; his face was so innocent. Where had he heard about gays? And their rainbow?

*****

Photo Credit: Photoflurry