I Chose Life

October 30, 2024

This is the story of someone I've known for quite some time, called Matt. He shares his story with us.

Matt Began;

When my wife and I were much younger, unmarried at the time, and, well had way less children. (Lol) We found ourselves pregnant with our firstborn. I remember reading the word "pregnant" on the pregnancy test and my heart sinking into my chest. We had nowhere decent to live, no way to care for the baby, and my income was only enough to take care of one person, with the economy of that Era. She was excited and so was I, but we were also scared. We were young—too young.

Right away we had to start considering our options. We didn't exactly know how to abort the child or where to even go. Taking the road of figuring it out as we go along was too difficult for us to grasp at the moment. She wanted so badly to keep it. But I knew very well that we couldn't. So we both, after pain and tears, decided we would not keep the child.

Now, we just had to find out how to not keep it. It broke my heart to have to make such a decision when it came to my own flesh and blood. But as a young father being put on the spot, I thought there was no way out. We did consider adoption but because of how young we were we would have preferred no one knew. We also feared having a change of heart and keeping the child if we were to go that route. I felt my heart and my mind fighting me. I mean I knew this was our fault. We were taught abstinence all our lives and we knew we should have been responsible. But we were not. My mind told me that this was the consequence of our actions. If I can be honest, looking back—it's true.

When we deem ourselves mature enough to engage in the act, then we automatically make ourselves mature enough to deal with the consequences of our actions—and children are a blessing from God. And, I don't think it was an accident that our firstborn, decided to pop up into our lives at that time. Even if something really unfortunate were to happen to someone. I think just having the child and giving the baby to someone who can love the child would be better than aborting it. But my wife and I—we fell for the lies of the enemy. Well, at least...Almost….

I believe that God was trying to speak to me that night. But still, I felt like I had no choice. So God himself intervened. Not only could I not find any abortion clinics that would privately do it. I even went to the pharmacy to try and purchase the pills—instead, only for them to turn me down. I didn't know of natural remedies that were actually safe. So we had no choice but to keep the child. All we had was hope and a prayer. But God did not leave us alone and afraid. He stood by our side when no one else wanted to.

I got fired from my job some months later and she hadn't been to see a doctor yet. But for some reason, we felt peace knowing we were doing the right thing. Prayer is what we held onto until I was able to find another job with an okay income for both of us. But not enough for essentials. One day someone reached out to me—when my wife and I were at the point of giving up. They said that God had not given up on us and he wanted us to be married. So she and I got married two months before she was due. After that, someone reached out to us—again—and provided everything we needed for the baby. Brand new and free of charge. Even helped us get an apartment for her and [me] to stay, while I continued to work to provide. I couldn't believe it. God cared so much that we trusted in Him, and we relied on Him, and he loved our child so much that he was willing to provide all that we needed. Our baby was born healthy, and my wife was fine. Even though we didn't have the most or much people behind us. We felt a sense of joy and hope. We still do. Looking down at the tiny thing we had made. I was so angry at myself and at how I could think of such thoughts.

Our firstborn has grown us, matured us, tried us in patience, but has also loved us so very much. And we just can't imagine life without our little silent Powerball. God hasn't let us down yet as every child we've had, we haven't had to purchase much for them because he always provides everything just when you need it. For that, I'll forever be grateful that he didn't let me live with that guilt for the rest of my life—but that I'd get an opportunity to see a little human being thrive.

Also, a little something I feel men say but are not heard… I know, from previous experiences and maybe a whole lot of trauma, women have been taught that men don't want to be dads and men don't care about their children. But when you guys (as in women) choose to have an abortion, some of us who really want to be fathers, Feel it. Because, even if you don't want the responsibility of being a mom, some of us really want the responsibility of being fathers. I heard of a guy whose girlfriend committed abortion when the baby was 8 months to term, and he was in so much pain because he'll never get his little girl back. He'll never know what she looks like or never hear her say, “Dada”. He was more than willing to do anything and everything for his little girl. Some of you women have men willing to stand with you no matter what. Maybe we can consider giving them a chance to be fathers, even if you can't handle the responsibility. It's okay to feel like you can't handle it. If the dad is willing, then please, Do let him—instead of considering to abort. We men love our children too.

There are so many options that don't imply killing the baby. Hold on to the one who allowed you this great blessing. That's God! And trust in him to provide. I almost made this mistake. I pray that you would not make it too. But that you would wake up to the enemy’s lies like I did. I chose Life.

That was the end of Brothers' message. I appreciate him sharing such a vulnerable part of his life with us.