A Life-Giving Interruption
In late 2003, popular country music artist, Kenny Chesney, released a single entitled, “There Goes My Life.” The song captures the story of a young man who finds himself in an unplanned pregnancy. His response to his girlfriend’s pregnancy was a common one. He felt too young and ill-equipped to be a parent, felt his dreams were unreachable, and felt his life was never going to be what he envisioned it to be. His response echoes, “There goes my life…,” implying his life is going down a drain, or as he says, “up in smoke.”
The young man simultaneously grows as the song progresses. One night as the young girl is making her way up the stairs to be tucked in bed, she turns to her daddy. He recognizes that the little baby, who is now a little girl who calls him “daddy,” is his life. This little girl grows up, reaches college age, and he now sees his grown daughter pack up and head to college. As she drives away, he cries as he realizes that his pride and joy, the light of his life, is grown and embarking on her own journey. There goes his life.
Life is full of interruptions, which are those unexpected, out-of-the-blue circumstances that contend with our intentions. Most of the time, the human responses to interruptions are frustration, anger, anxiety, confusion, dissatisfaction, or disappointment.
The nature of unplanned pregnancies is just that…unplanned and unexpected. Individuals in unplanned pregnancies have permission to feel like their lives have come face-to-face with an interruption—to find themselves in places of frustration or anger, anxiety or confusion, dissatisfaction or disappointment. However, unplanned pregnancies are not the end to an individual or couple’s story. Life does not stop, life is not over, and life does not get worse. In fact, a beautiful life is just beginning.
For the young man in the song, the initial, undesired interruption of an unplanned pregnancy would be a life-giving interruption, as it gifted him with his greatest pride and joy.
Your Choices Randolph believes the same revelation is true for all those facing unplanned pregnancies. An unplanned pregnancy may feel like an interruption, but the pregnancy will bear a gift, one of joy, wonder, and life.
Contact the YCR office at (336)-629-9988 for support and assistance in navigating an unplanned pregnancy.
Source:
Chesney, Kenny. “There Goes My Life.” Album: When the Sun Goes Down. Words and music written by Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher. 2003
The Joy of Community Collaboration
YOUR CHOICES Randolph empowers individuals to make healthy life-affirming choices in the areas of sexuality, pregnancy, and restoration and move toward their fullest potential through relationship, education, and COLLABORATION. We envision a community where individuals who are navigating pregnancy decisions, fractured relationships, or destructive patterns embrace and embody the restoration of their identity, sexuality, and purpose.
Notice that I stressed the word COLLABORATION. That’s because we’ve learned one important lesson pretty consistently throughout the years: We cannot create a culture of life in this community without our faithful friends and partners in this amazing county. One of those friends happens to be Randolph County’s very own radio personality, Larry Reid.
Beginning in 2017, Larry graciously invited Caralynn Vaughn, YCR Executive Director, and myself to come aboard every 4th Monday of the month to chat about who we are, what we do, and our vision for this community within our scope of service. We cannot even begin to tell you how invaluable this time has been as Larry has helped spread the word about YOUR CHOICES. Even more, he provides and encouraging and crazy fun atmosphere that makes talking with Larry once a month a genuine treat.
All that said, we want to say “THANK YOU” from the very bottom of our hearts to Larry Reid for hosting us each month and believing in who we are and what we do. You are a true gem in this community.
Finally, don’t miss us and our crazy adventures with Larry every fourth Monday of the month on WKXR, 94.9 FM/1260 AM at 8:30am.
Reaching the Unreached: Love Life Triad
In the Triad, 50 to 100 abortions are performed weekly. It’s the leading cause of death in Greensboro. Abortions are allowed up to 20 weeks and 1 in 3 women have had abortions in their lifetime. 73% of those women identify themselves as Christians.
Love Life Triad
This summer, Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center began partnering with an organization called Love Life Charlotte as they move into the Triad. Love Life, a 40-Week Journey of Hope, is a campaign uniting and mobilizing the Church to create a culture of love and life that will bring an end to abortion in our generation. Love Life Triad launched on Saturday, July 21, 2018. We’re excited about this new opportunity as it will enable the Church to help more abortion-minded clients.
Love Life founder, Justin Reeder, says, “I believe God has called the Church to shape the culture, then politicians and legislation will follow. We aren’t trying to change the law, we’re changing the culture where families stop running to the local abortion clinic and start running to the local church.”
One of our own local pastors, Brent Tysinger, from Rushwood Church has been involved with this project since they started locally. Brent has a heart for ending abortion in Randolph County, but needs so many more churches to come alongside him in this endeavor. While the numbers in our area aren’t as great as in Guilford County, we know that many young women either travel to Greensboro for abortions or avail themselves of medical abortions using drugs like mifepristone (commonly called RU-486). Help us mobilize to speak out!
Consider joining during the next Love Life Triad event at Destiny Church in Greensboro (2401 Randleman Rd) at 10 AM on July 31st.
6 Ways to Support the Pregnant Woman in Your Life
Chances are, you know someone in your life who is pregnant or hoping to become pregnant. Pregnancy can be an amazing and beautiful time, but it can also be a trying time for many women. Are you curious as to how you can be loving and supportive of these women in your life? If so, keep reading.
- Text her and tell her you are thinking of her. Ask if there is anything she needs or if she is struggling with any symptoms. Pregnant women (and all women) want to feel loved and supported. Even a short message can bring joy when women are feeling tired and sick from pregnancy symptoms.
- If she has morning sickness or nausea, bring her some ginger or peppermint tea or hard candy. Ginger and peppermint do wonders to settle a stomach. Additionally, ginger and peppermint essential oils can be diffused for her to help settle an upset stomach.
- Don’t smoke around her, as this could harm her and the baby. If you are her partner or live in her household, quit smoking and drinking in order to encourage her to also stick with a smoke-free and alcohol-free lifestyle. It will be great for your bodies and for the baby!
- If you are a partner or family member, help with chores around the house without being asked. Pregnancy takes a toll on women’s energy levels, and she will definitely need assistance washing the dishes, dusting, doing laundry, and with other household tasks.
- Learn about pregnancy. Chances are, she has stocked up on books, websites, and videos to learn about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. If you want to be supportive, try to educate yourself on some of these things. Check out websites like Mama Natural or TheBump.com for great articles about pregnancy and childbirth. Check out Parenting for great articles about parenting and childcare. You can also just do a google search for any topics that interest you surrounding this, but be careful, because not everything you find on the internet is true or accurate.
- Take her out for lunch, coffee, or tea. She needs companionship during this time. Even if you are single or do not have any children, continue to be her friend. She is still the same woman she was before she got pregnant. Now, she has a tiny human inside of her, but that doesn’t change who she is as a person. Chances are, she is having some funky cravings, so check with her and maybe you all can go indulge in something together.
You can’t really go wrong with these tips. However, each pregnancy affects individual women differently, so talk to her. Communicating is the best way to find out what your friend, partner, or family member needs during her pregnancy.
—
Claire Simons
Client Services Assistant
Who is the King of Your Heart?
Jesus gently calls and patiently waits for you to totally surrender your heart to His invitation of being the King of your heart. Total surrender when your life continues to crumble, because He is good. Total surrender when the world around you could not get any better, because He is good.
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30, NIV
Where we choose to focus our heart is important. It’s important to Jesus.
The song I chose to feature is a great representation of the simplicity of His love and goodness. John Mark McMillian and his wife, Sarah, are favorite artists of mine. I hope you experience His goodness through their song. Enjoy.
With love,
Beth Muir Client Services Coordinator
Recent Comments