This article was submitted by pro-life advocate Tamara Gross with the Douglas County chapter of Oregon Right to Life. To send in your own article or personal pro-life testimony, go to ortl.org/news and click “Submit Your Story,” or scroll down to the bottom of the page.
(Oregon Right to Life) — Talking about abortion is hard. And sometimes, navigating challenging conversations doesn’t just mean dealing with a pro-choice perspective.
I was asked to volunteer at Douglas County Right To Life’s pro-life fair booth and hesitated at first. I’d avoided talking about this controversy because I had an abortion in the past. However, after going through a class on dealing with the pain and shame of abortion, I experienced healing and now felt willing to volunteer.
But what would I say?
I contacted the fair booth coordinator and was reminded that the most important thing was to listen and that two experienced volunteers would be there alongside me.
Still, I wasn’t expecting what would happen next.
A young couple approached me and spoke about the need to give the death penalty to women who’d had an abortion. I was shocked and quiet. After listening for a while, other volunteers joined me, and I finally spoke up.
I told them I’d had an abortion years earlier, and if I’d been executed, I wouldn’t be there to
speak with them. I also shared how God had healed my heart and that being able to speak about my experience was a miracle! I said that many women in our churches wouldn’t be here either and wouldn’t have known the love and grace of our Savior.
Not all the interactions were that difficult, though.
After that challenging conversation, I also interacted with many young teens and children who were very curious about our displays of the fetal models, the “Touch of Life” realistic baby models, and the spinning wheel. Most were open to asking questions and/or having a conversation!
Having meaningful, compassionate conversations about abortion often isn’t easy, even when talking with people who agree that abortion is wrong. But it’s so important that we communicate with one another.
I am grateful to have overcome my fear, and I plan to volunteer at a pro-life fair booth again!
