Inspirational Stories
Almost every person who is motivated by the pro-life cause has an inspiring story attached to their passion. God’s power shines through when we share our stories of trial and triumph. Time and time again, God takes the most troubling season of someone’s life and uses it for something beautiful. He is a God of redemption and reconciliation, who walks with us in our pain. Our God inspires and transforms. (Isaiah 61:3)
The personal testimonies of Jess Ford, whose mother chose life instead of abortion; abortion-survivor Melissa Ohden; and post-abortive healing advocate Jennifer Polimino showcase the remarkable redemptive and restorative power found in Jesus Christ. Their stories are ones of perseverance and finding beauty on the other side of pain. Abortion doesn’t define who they are, but God used it to guide their purpose.
Key Takeaways
- Three distinct pro-life stories are shared: This article features the stories of Jess Ford (the author), abortion-survivor Melissa Ohden, and post-abortion healing advocate Jennifer Polimino.
- Each experience reflects a different aspect of the abortion issue: Jess Ford shares how his mother chose life after initially planning an abortion, Melissa Ohden tells her story of surviving an abortion attempt, and Jennifer Polimino describes finding emotional and spiritual healing after an abortion.
- Together, their testimonies emphasize hope, redemption, and the value of every life: Despite fear, regret, or trauma, each story points to healing, purpose, and the powerful impact of saying “yes” to life.
Amy Ford’s Inspirational Story
Amy Ford learned she was unexpectedly pregnant at 20 years old. She was single and living under her parents’ roof, who were supporting her financially. She knew abortion was wrong. Yet, it became a real option when she faced the fear associated with this pregnancy. She was afraid that her parents would no longer be supportive of her, and that she would be left financially and emotionally independent. Amy and her boyfriend mutually agreed to go through with the abortion procedure and scheduled an appointment to abort their baby.
During Amy’s appointment, the staff began to explain the details of her abortion procedure. Suddenly, she became overwhelmed with emotion — crying, hyperventilating, and eventually, passing out.
After a few moments, Amy woke up with nurses fanning her face, informing her that she was too emotionally distraught to have the abortion. She went back to the waiting room to tell her boyfriend that she was still pregnant. As a result of the emotional experience, she decided to make the brave choice to deliver and mother her baby. Therefore, she needed to tell her friends and family about the pregnancy. She learned that many were excited about her pregnancy. Her fears of losing her loved ones proved to be a lie from the enemy. Amy had her baby, a boy named Jess, who would later discover his unconventional beginnings.
Jess Ford: God’s Inspirational Story
After hearing of his parents’ testimony, Jess’s perception of his life began to alter. He began to believe that he was a burden to his family.
These lies consumed Jess. He was convinced that he was not supposed to be alive. From the months of spiritual warfare in his mind, he became suicidal. He felt as if his whole life was a lie. His parents, whom he always viewed as his heroes, almost took him out of this world via abortion.
At 15, when Jess was ready to end his life to escape the pain, God interrupted him. He heard a confident, tender and near voice, whom he now knows belongs to the Holy Spirit, speak to him in his moments of despair. The words he heard will mark him forever: “Jess, your parents may have said no to you in the beginning, but I said yes, and I have a plan and purpose for your life.” After hearing this, he immediately realized he had a reason to live, and my depression vanished. Finally, he had tasted and seen that the Lord is good. He had a reason and inspiration to live again, and he decided to make Jesus the leader of his spirit, mind, and body.
The Truth of Their Inspirational Story
One interesting thing that happened immediately was a shift in Jess’s perspective. Before Christ, in his deepest depression, Jess could never acknowledge how incredible, hardworking, sincere, honest, and caring people his parents proved to be. After Christ, he began to see them through a grace-filled lens.
In conclusion, now Jess fights for life because of the bravery of his mother.
Why do you fight for life? What inspiring story do you share with others?
Failed Abortion Story – Melissa Ohden
Now a pro-life writer, speaker, and activist, Melissa Ohden was 14 when she discovered she was the survivor of a failed abortion. Learning the truth was a horrific, live-changing experience, but today Melissa appreciates who God made her to be – survivor and all.
The specific abortion procedure that Melisssa survived was a saline infusion abortion, which involved delivering a toxic salt solution into the amniotic fluid surrounding the preborn child in the womb. After the child is dead, doctors induce premature labor.
For Melissa, however, she was unknowingly delivered alive. The hospital staff set her body aside, thinking she had died, until a nurse heard her whimper and saved her life.
Reconnecting with Her Mother Who Tried To Abort Her
“Would you like to meet your birth mother?”
Though the moment took place several years ago, Melissa can still remember the question. She had come to Focus on the Family in 2011 to share her story and record a broadcast about it with Jim Daly and John Fuller.
“I would love to,” She replied, “but I continue to trust that it’s in God’s hands, and if He intends for it to happen, it will, in His way, and in His time.”
She thought to herself: “Sure, those were my words, but if it were possible to see inside me at that moment, my heart would have admitted that I didn’t think such a meeting was actually in His plans.”
The struggle to even locate her biological mother had been difficult enough. She was estranged from the rest of her family, and their response indicated that they would not be passing on her messages.
God, however, had a plan. Since the initial radio broadcast aired, Melissa has connected with her maternal cousin, her two maternal half-sisters, a maternal aunt — and yes, even her biological mother.
Melissa’s inspirational story is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and his ability to restore and reconcile. Only God could’ve aligned Melissa’s story to reconnect her with her biological family. Only God could unite them with the power of unconditional love and forgiveness. As it is with Melissa’s story and plenty of others, God made beauty from ashes.
A Mother’s Heart Redeemed – Jennifer Polimino’s Inspirational Story
Now a pro-life activist, author, writer, fitness instructor, and more, Jennifer Polimino’s inspirational story is one of redemption. Abused as a child, Jennifer was molested by four men when she was 12, and date-raped at 15. At 16, she discovered she was pregnant.
Jennifer was pressured into having an abortion, though she didn’t want to. During the abortion procedure, Polimino cried the whole time and felt tremendous guilt afterwards. She even tried taking her own life but backed out last minute because she didn’t want to put her parents through that pain. She wondered if abortion had ruined her soul.
Broken and ashamed, Polimino turned away from God and led a very promiscuous lifestyle, jumping from guy to guy. After working a shift at a gentleman’s club one night, Jennifer drove home drunk and broke down in her room that evening. She asked God to bring her a Godly man and made a list of the things she wanted in a spouse. The next week, she met her husband, Dan. They got married the following year.
With both carrying emotional baggage from their past, their marriage was rocky. Then, in 2004, Jennifer discovered she was pregnant. Terrified and haunted by her past, Jennifer wondered how she could possibly be a good mother to her child. In desperation, she cried out to God. After another fight with Dan, her husband, she went to her bedroom and cried. Meeting her in her despair, God became real to Jennifer. She realized he had a plan for her and her child.
She prayed over her son and kept a prayer journal, asking God to protect him from evil and harm. When her son was born, she recognized God’s faithfulness to her. She loved her first year of parenthood and soon became pregnant with her daughter, Malia. When Malia was a few months old, Jennifer created “Pray For Your Baby Ministries,” which helps encourage parents to pray throughout their pregnancies. Through this ministry, she was able to help a young woman say “yes” to life and create an adoption plan. God used Jennifer’s pain and brokenness to make something beautiful.
Summary
All three stories offer unique perspectives on the pro-life movement: Amy Ford’s courage in choosing life for her son, Jess Ford; Melissa Ohden’s survival of a failed abortion; and Jennifer Polimino’s journey to embrace motherhood after a previous abortion all reveal God’s power, grace, and restorative work in transforming lives. Life can come with unexpected twists and turns, but these stories exhibit that God can use all things for good.
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