Whenever I glance back through an old prayer journal it never fails to remind me of God’s goodness no matter what we face in this world. My prayer journal is filled with dried tears, written entries of joys, trials, and yet God is still good as we travel on this faith filled journey in life.

This particular journal entry was a praise. I was praising the Lord for a lady that found our Pregnancy Resource Center. Which happens daily at our clinic. We know that families that find our clinic are a divine appointment.

Women and men are searching for options in regards to their unexpected pregnancies and not sure what to do or where to turn. As they search online they encounter a life-affirming alternative—our PRC. Many of our patients we see have no idea they had other alternatives to abortion and access to many resources to help them. Which is another story for another day.

As I read my prayer journal entry I remembered this encounter. This woman was conflicted on choosing life or death for her child. She didn’t think she could be a good parent. Everyone in her life reminded her often at what a failure she was. Little did we know that this woman was praying on her way to her appointment that SOMEONE would give her permission to have her baby. That SOMEONE would say she wasn’t a failure. That this could be a beauty from ashes moment and she could hear words that spoke to her heart instead of stabbed a hole in it.

Words matter.

She didn’t think she could parent. She doubted herself and needed someone to speak life into her. After all she was convinced that she was a failure. She walked in our doors and felt like a heavy weight had dropped off her body. She instantly felt peace and warmth. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time. This was indeed a beauty from ashes moment.

She confirmed that she was pregnant. Our medical team and volunteer advocates empowered her like they do all of our patients during their consultations. We are willing to have those uncomfortable conversations and share medically accurate information for all options—parenting, adoption, and abortion.

We have the opportunity to serve our patients free of charge through medical services and an abundance of faith-based support programs. This is made possible by our incredible community that give sacrificially. Not state or federal money because we don’t get any of that, but because YOU care. You LOVE and you SERVE with us in this way. For that we are so thankful!

What this woman needed was support, love, and practical steps that she could have this baby. She needed to be reminded that she was NOT a failure! Not only did she get all the love and support she needed—she got the best gift of all. She made a decision to rededicate her life to Jesus that day. The One who will never leave or forsake us. The One who sees us and loves us so.

Not only did this woman get the permission she was looking for—she gained a support system like no other.

You never know what words have been spoken over someone. When hard days come it’s sometimes out of habit for us to reflect on all the hurtful words spoken over us like a flashing neon sign. Our words have the power to break strongholds, to set captives free, to help heal and to help show true love. Let this be a reminder that many are fighting a battle that we know nothing about.

The power of words is immense! Speak life. Because words do matter.