What Happens When an Abortion Provider Has a Change of Heart?

The story of Abby Johnson (photo at left) moves me very profoundly. Abby, the director of Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas, for the last two years, resigned on October 6.  Abby realized that she wanted to leave, after watching an ultrasound of an abortion procedure. She said: "I just thought I can't do this anymore, and it was just like a flash that hit me and I thought that's it.”

Abby Johnson reveals that under difficult economic pressures, brought on by the recent recession, the business model of Planned Parenthood has changed from promoting prevention to encouraging abortion. Johnson says she was being encouraged to bring in more women for abortions because that is where the money is.

Does anyone really want to argue that money doesn't drives the abortion industry as much as any single issue? Sure there are people who really believe in abortion as “choice” but the industry itself is money-based and money-driven. Abby Johnson is now an embarrassment to the pro-choice movement and their response to her has been very swift.

But why did Abby walk away? An Episcopalian, she says her decision was based upon her change of mind about the abortion procedure itself: "I feel so pure in heart (since leaving). I don't have this guilt. I don't have this burden on me anymore that's how I know this conversion was a spiritual conversion."

Johnson now supports the Coalition for Life, the pro-life group with a building down the street from Planned Parenthood in Bryan. Coalition volunteers can regularly be seen praying on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. Johnson has been meeting with the coalition's executive director, Shawn Carney, and has prayed with volunteers outside Planned Parenthood. Last Friday, October 30, both Johnson and the Coalition for Life were issued temporary restraining orders filed by Planned Parenthood. Rochelle Tafolla, a Planned Parenthood spokesperson issued the following statement: "We regret being forced to turn to the courts to protect the safety and confidentiality of our clients and staff, however, in this instance it is absolutely necessary." The temporary restraining order contends that Planned Parenthood would be irreparably harmed by the disclosure of certain information. The local television news report about Abby Johnson and Planned Parenthood is available here.

I read this story with profound gratitude for the courage and witness of Abby Johnson. I also prayed for her as my sister in Christ. I then wondered, “What would happen if there were a thousand Abby Johnson's who came to the same conclusion and their stories were to hit the media over the next three months?” Don’t tell me it can not happen. With God all things are possible. I believe that we should pray that Abby’s witness remains strong and that a host of similar people take the same stand under the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. I think there are enough Christians inside the abortion industry that if they were to go down the same road as Abby changes would be immediate and amazing. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

Comments

[Michael William Smith]

Thank you brother for posting this. It is great to see our King in action!