Reaching Out In Love Abbey Johnson Is Rescued

In my final blog on Abbey Johnson's book, "Unplanned", the theme of love and compassion, which ultimately helped Abbey Johnson come over to the pro-life side of the fence continues. Abbey's story is a riveting and heart-wrenching account of the journey of one woman's soul, snatched from the snares of the father of Lies, through the ever faithful prayers and vigilance of her loving husband and family, and pro-lifers who stood on the "other side" of the fence surrounding the abortion clinic, which she ran.

Planned Parenthood vilifies the pro-life movement, painting themselves and the women who come to their clinics, as victims of judgemental, fanatical zealots. Yet, through her 8 yrs. in the abortion clinic, which she eventually became director of, Abbey was continually faced with contradictory evidence against this pro-choice argument. Yes, there were the fanatics, the fringe element on the pro-life side - but as time went by, Abbey began to see that there were many more pro-lifers, who were simply humble, kind and compassionate souls, who seemed to care just as much about the women who walked through the abortion clinic doors, as Abbey herself did. Several of those pro-lifers, were people who befriended Abbey, and specifically prayed for her.

David Bereit, National Director of 40 Days for Life and Shawn Carney Director of the Coalition for Life, began working to change the face of their pro-life campaign, from one of a mixed group of varying personalities - some fanatic - some not - to one of complete peaceful prayer and faithful vigilance. They changed the attitude of their volunteers from waving placards, shouting insults and being obnoxious or confrontational - to simply being there at the abortion clinics, to stand and pray and bear witness - to love and befriend and pray for - not only the clients - but the abortion staff themselves - like Abbey Johnson.

Abbey herself states, among many other contributing factors of her conversion, how "for eight years - faces and voices walking the fence, gently calling out offers of help, friendship, rescue, and the love of God" brought her back. She said she appreciated the fence-prayers' approach and encourages churches and other organizations to consider their example.

Most of all, she experienced the stark contrast between those she had previously believed to be close friends on the pro-choice side, who shunned and betrayed her, once she left Planned Parenthood - to the people who prayed at the fence, who had befriended her, even though they did not believe in what she was doing. "Those people, she stated, "had modeled for me something far deeper, far stronger than 'situational friendship': they loved and accepted me even when I was doing something they found morally objectionable. They didn't just talk about love - they put flesh on the concept."

Heb. 6:10 "for God is not unjust, that He should forget your work and the love that you have shown in His name." For all of us in the pro-life movement, who get discouraged that our efforts are in vain, Abbey's story is an amazing witness to the power of steadfast fidelity in prayer, trust in God - and the power of Love.