I think I found my purpose.

The importance of service in recovery.

I think I found my purpose.

I sit and look around. What on earth do these grandma’s have to offer a young woman going through one of the most difficult decisions of her life? Better yet, “Why am I here?”

Several weeks ago, I asked the house mother of the Women’s Center, Gina, “Do you know of any service opportunities available?”

Service for others is crucial for those who wish to remain on their road to recovery. For the past many months, I have been writing and sharing to aid in my recovery. Writing is a selfish ambition. It is healing and enjoyable but there’s got to be more.

What if this blogging journey is more than getting my words out? Perhaps it is only equipping me for something greater and leading me down a different path. A path I didn’t see coming.

What Miss Gina suggested piqued my interest. She said, “The pregnancy center is in need of help.”

I called, set up an interview and then questioned my qualifications. What do I know about pregnancy? I’ve been pregnant twice but how does that qualify me to counsel others in their time of need?

First… I have to confess… I am pro-Choice and the Pregnancy Center is affiliated with the church I attend. I know where I stand on the sanctity of life but we are not talking about my life or my daughter’s lives and that is my hang-up. Not that I don’t value life, because I value it above all else. But who am I to interject my beliefs on someone else?

During the application process the question was posed, “Where do you stand on abortion for the following circumstances—Rape, incest, the health of the baby, the health of the mother—circle if abortion should be an option.” I didn’t even pause to digest the question, but started to circle each reason. Then I noted… I am pro-Life, but do not feel it is right to choose for someone else.

Second… There is more to it… I got through life without having to make these difficult choices. How can I possibly understand what someone else is going through that led to their pregnancy? I will not even attempt to put my feet in their shoes or feign understanding.

Third… Am I really the woman for this job? I think so.

I contemplated this question for a good week and gave it to God. My mind was questioning everything, but my heart started to answer. Still, I was unclear and I thought training would help clear-up my confusion.

Starting with a church service over a month ago and a statement that was made in training it had become clear… yes, I am the perfect woman for this job. The pastor shared with the congregation what the purpose of the pregnancy center is—it is a place where pregnant women can seek help and then in conclusion he said, “A woman who had an abortion is welcome.” And, then the director in training struck a chord when she stated, “This isn’t just about the baby, but also the women and the men.”

In the rooms of recovery there is a diverse group of people, all dealing with a unique sorted past that have led them to addiction. Women in particular struggle with choices they have made early on with a pregnancy or sexual encounters that led to their abuse to ease their pain. It is not my job to fix anyone’s problem but I can choose to walk alongside each of them, providing the encouragement, understanding, and support they need.

I can be part of the solution, not the problem.

Acts of Service