The heart is where it all happens.
In the heart of every woman is the longing to be heard, to be understood, to be believed in, and to be seen for her unique beauty and goodness, a beauty and goodness that often she doesn’t see in herself. When a woman finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, the fear in her heart can be overwhelming. She’s alone; perhaps she’s young, or her finances are bad, or the father of the baby is threatening to break off the relationship unless she has an abortion. Often, it can feel like her very identity is threatened by this new life she carries within her.
What does she need you to do?
Listen: Often, everyone else is telling her what to do, but no one is listening. So first, listen. Listen to her story, her experiences, her fears, hopes, worries, and desires.
Notice: She is good. She is a daughter of God, made in His image and likeness, unique and unrepeatable. Let yourself be honestly, spontaneously moved by her goodness.
Reflect: As you listen, reflect back to her what you are seeing and hearing: what she is saying, yes, but also her own beauty and goodness. She is not “a project” or someone to “do good” to in her time of need. After all, each of us needs to experience genuine love, someone delighting in me for me, not for anything I’ve done or haven’t done, not for my education, not for my looks or gifts, but for me. A woman who knows that she is lovable and loved can do anything.
Connect: We are not meant to be alone. She needs a friend who will put faith in her and who will commit to walking with her in overcoming the obstacles, interiorly and exteriorly. This allows a woman to be able to choose her own flourishing, for herself and for her child. It’s what opens her up to living from her heart.
Originally printed in IMPRINT Magazine Spring 2019.
