I just read Lisa's* story. Three days after her 19th birthday Lisa learned she was pregnant. Though she and Todd* had been dating for three years, Lisa thought they did not know each other very well. And a baby did not fit in with her college education. Together they decided to abort. Two weeks later Todd took some wrong turns on the way to the abortion clinic.

They went into the place with "Pregnancy Help" sign. The staff noticed how upset Lisa was and urged her to talk with a counselor before making her final decision. Lisa insisted that she must have an abortion, so they pointed her to the clinic. At the clinic Lisa was not able to get out of the car.

At home Lisa made an appointment with the counselor. She learned what abortion can do to a woman's body, mind and soul. She did not think she could handle the strong emotions some women experience after abortion. She realized that her heart was saying NO.

Unlike Lisa, my friend Katie* had an abortion. Katie was beautiful, yet after the abortion she could not stand to look at herself in a mirror. Katie began to heal emotionally when she experienced the forgiveness of the Almighty One.

Many women go into depression five to seven years after an abortion, for no apparent reason. Some are fortunate to learn it is a result of suppressing emotions associated with having killed their baby. When they forgive themselves and receive forgiveness, they begin to heal.

Some women have an abortion without informing the father of the pregnancy. Occasionally we hear of men who are angry that their baby is gone without their knowing it even existed.

Abortion is controversial. My question is, For whom is abortion healthy? The mother, the father, the baby, the coffers of the abortion clinic?


*Names have been changed. Stories are real.