Unplanned

I bought this book from Koorong ages ago. It was one of those ones that jump out at me and say you have to read this even though you know it's gonna be hard to read, but it has sat on my shelf for a long time waiting for me to be brave enough to read a book that I knew would stir me up. This week I decided it was time after a facebook discussion with someone I care about who is pro-choice. She said she was passionate about it and that disturbed me, I could not grasp how any sane person could be passionate about a practice that ends the life of babies and so I wanted to hear what the author of 'Unplanned' had to say, afterall she used to be the director of an abortion clinic. I have to say the first chapter was heart wrenching, it describes the day that everything changed for her and she knew she couldn't be part of that place anymore. I wont go into detail in case I spoil it for anyone who wants to read it themselves, but I finished that chaper and sat on my bed sobbing for ages, I actually felt physically sick. It was 2 days before I picked the book up again but once I did I found it very hard to put down.

The book describes the journey of Abby Johnson who was once a director of a planned parenthood clinic and quit to join the pro-life movment. I was fascinated by the insight into how her brain ticked and watching a life story unfold knowing God was weaving things together to show this woman the truth. I was also very challenged by this book because it showed how easy it is to do the wrong thing for the right reasons beause you believe what everyone else tells you rather than seeking God for yourself. I found it interesting that this woman had views very similar to the friend I was conversing with on facebook. That late term abortion is wrong because it's a baby, but early on it's not viable outside the womb and just a fetus, that the fetus feels no pain, that abortion actually helps women and children because it prevents babies being born who would not be loved and wanted... the same stuff i've heard many times from many people. I'm not going to argue the pro-life case here, it's my blog, I don't need to, I can just say straight out that I think everything in that sentence that the lady in this book believed is wrong, what really interested me though was that it took her 8 years to see it. She was so blinded by society's lies that she couldn't see the truth right in front of her face and it made me squirm because I realised there are areas where I am guilty of that too.

I have had some things on my heart for a while about my future and my family that seemed to go against what was sensible and normal and to be honest just more than I thought I wanted to deal with and so some decisions were made that I was comfortable with as long as I didn't sit still with God for very long, that is a sure sign that you're not listening I would think, but I didn't want to see it! So this morning I was awake very early because Elora was stirring but she went back to sleep before I even went in there, I however could not go back to sleep, God was right there in the dark, quiet, moment with me and  it was time for a chat. I decided to say yes to God for what He was asking but said if this is your plan then you better get the husband on board too, which He did, because when we talked about it today Brett was on the same page. I wont tell you what i'm talking about yet, just to keep you all in suspense, but I find it quite funny that God's plans for my life are so different to what I pictured and i'm totally ok with it.

So aside from my own personal challenge when reading this book I was also really enlightened as to how the tactics of many pro-lifers actually make things worse and that there is a fine line between having passion for a cause and judging those on the other side. I am not sure if I have crossed that line and hurt people in the past, but I know a much gentler approach is needed in the future, many people who are pro-choice really belive they are doing a good thing, it is their information that is wrong not their intentions and I never saw that perspective before.

So if abortion is a topic that stirs you at all or even if it isn't I would recommend getting hold of 'Unplanned' and seeing for yourself the journey God took Abby Johnson on, it's a really good read!!