A few years ago, the Minneapolis Tribune had an entire section featuring the history of abortion in America. Included in the section was a two-page spread telling the stories of eight women whose lives were dramatically improved by the fact that they were able to legally obtain an abortion when they were younger.
Stories are powerful. One story can move hearts and change minds more than hundreds of pages of historical context, ethical debates, opinion surveys, and hair-splitting legal arguments.
No news source is 100% objective. All have an agenda, and most news sources are no longer even trying to report the news fairly.
A big part of reporting the news is the telling of stories. An easy way to promote your biased agenda is to tell only the stories that support what you want to say, and refuse to report any stories that would call into question what you are promoting. That feature article in the Tribune on abortion told only one kind of story, reflecting only one side of the debate. That is what I mean by having an agenda.
I have an agenda in these EmailMeditations. I want to tell the story of Jesus Christ, encourage you to believe in him as your Lord and Savior, and assist you in your life of faith. That is my agenda. Now you know.
Next, a story; one that fits my agenda. It is a story you will never see in the Minneapolis Tribune because it does not fit their agenda. It is another kind of abortion story.
Even those who are pro-life and anti-abortion will usually allow exceptions in cases of incest, rape, or when the life of the mother is in danger. However, even these few exceptions (less than 3% of all abortions) are not without complications. I do not intend to list all those complications, nor do I intend to objectively summarize all sides of the entire abortion debate. I am just going to let Juda Myers tell her story. This is a story of someone’s whose life was dramatically improved by her mother choosing to not have an abortion.
*********************************
“Raped by Eight; Left for Dead”
By Juda Myers, (with minor editing), at: https://choices4life.org
In 1957, twenty-two-year-old Ann had the night off from her nanny job. Her employers dropped her off at the movies, but when the movie finished around midnight, they were too drunk to pick her up. Her home wasn’t close. She had to walk several blocks. On her way, she was attacked on a street corner by eight young men. She was beaten, repeatedly raped, and left for dead. Fearing they would come back to make sure she was dead, Ann just laid there for a long time.
Finally, she gathered the strength and courage to move. Once home, she told no one what happened. She packed her bags, quit her job, and returned to her parents in Mississippi. Even they would not find out until later what had happened. It is not unusual for victims to want to just forget and tell no one.
Three months later Ann learned she was pregnant and told her parents. They did not believe she was raped.
Abortion wasn’t legal in 1957, but that didn’t stop doctors from doing it. Ann’s doctor told her “I can take care of it,” and her parents pressured her to do so. “You will not take care of ‘it,’’ Ann sternly stated. “This is my baby!” Had Ann not been strong, the baby would have died that day. It wasn’t easy not being believed and then pressured.
Then there was the pain of giving birth. Ann was in labor for 36 hours. Finally, her baby was pulled out with forceps. Sadly, she was not allowed to even see her baby. But an old nurse took pity on Ann, and snuck the baby into Ann’s room. There was no greater joy than for Ann to hold that child she called a gift from God. She would later say that the baby didn’t remind her of the rape, but instead reminded her that God loved her so much He gave the best gift ever.
The baby was placed for adoption. It was a closed adoption, which was the usual way in those days. A World War II veteran and his wife could not have children naturally, and this saved child would be their first. They gave her a wonderful home.
Ann wrote a letter to Catholic charities saying if her daughter ever wanted to contact her, she wanted to hear from her. But the agency would never give that letter to her daughter. Ann lived years thinking her daughter just didn’t want to meet her. It would be 48 years before the two would meet again. I am Ann’s daughter, Juda.
I had no idea my mother was raped. My adoptive parents were lied to. They were told that my mother died giving birth. I suppose that was their way of keeping me from ever looking for my mother. It was also a way of not disclosing possible ‘damaged goods’ to adoptive parents.
In 2003 a court order gave the permission needed to start the search. A hostile reception was waiting for me. The social worker at Catholic Charities leaned over and said, “Your mother was RAPED!” I felt like a brick had hit me in the face. I can’t remember anything after that until I was sitting in my car. The shock was horrible. I started to doubt my value and existence.
I was married with two sons. But suddenly all I could think of was what the world generally feels about children conceived in a rape. I felt worthless.
But that is not what our Creator thinks. God creates everyone with a purpose. To give Satan any credit for my existence is to insult our Creator in the greatest of ways. No one creates life except the Creator of the universe. God touched me in a deep way. I knew I was created in His image and nothing could ever change that. My purpose in Him would be fulfilled.
I met my mother in 2005. My eyes and heart were opened when I realized she didn’t think of me the way the world said. Ann didn’t see me as a problem. “You gave me a reason to live,” Ann said. So many other victims pregnant after rape have told me the same thing.
Ann passed away in 2012. I was the last relative to see her moments before she passed. I was told she held on until I could fly in to be with her.
Looking back on my life and Ann’s, I see there truly was a plan. Evil had one plan to destroy life, but our Creator had greater life plans. Today I have two sons and seven grandchildren. Ann’s choice started this whole life chain. I wonder how many people alive today have a rape conceived person in their lineage.
Rape is wrong, but ending one life for the crime of another is more wrong. The impact of my mother’s courage, pain, and sacrifice goes on.
(Mother and daughter, Ann and Juda, pictured above.)
******************************
Genesis 50:19-20 — Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Psalm 139:13-15a — For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
***************************
Heavenly Father, we lift up all whose hearts are aching because of their decision to have an abortion, and who are now dealing with guilt because of their choices. We pray Your mercy and forgiveness over each one and ask that in a very special way You would come alongside them. Meet each one at their point of need. Comfort those that are grieving, support those that are weak, and help everyone to remember the sacredness of all human life. Bring us all to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus, and, the assurance of Your gracious forgiveness. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
–Found on-line; no author’s name listed.
Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. –Psalm 30:2.
——————————————————
Ann tells her story:
Related Posts
