My coworkers and I sat in our offices as the cries of an expecting mother pierced through the building. We didn’t need to be in the counseling room to understand her sobs: this pregnancy wasn’t planned, nor was it wanted. We all felt the weight of what those two pink lines on the pregnancy test meant as her wails intensified. A beloved staff member sat with this client in her shock and pain, remaining with her through her tears and her panic. Standing near the adjoining wall to the counseling room, the remainder of the staff gathered together to do the only thing we knew to do: we prayed.
I remember when I began volunteering at Choices Clinic back in 2016. I had an idea of what the work at a pregnancy clinic entailed. It was a lovely thought, clear cut and awfully naïve. I knew about the group classes, the Blessing Center and the baby bottle campaigns. I realized Choices existed to help women with unplanned pregnancies, explaining all of their choices and showing them the love and hope of Jesus.
Choices Clinic: Counseling Room
Choices Clinic: Waiting Room
But what does that look like practically from day to day in the clinic?
That day, as we listened to the wails heard through the wall, it looked like a staff member sitting with a woman in her pain. At that moment, no words would suffice. Being the hands and feet of Jesus meant meeting a woman where she was in her distress, and staying in that place with her for a time. Not rushing her through the emotions, nor leaving her there, either. It meant recognizing she was a human with a soul who needed to be met right where she was in that moment.
When the Crisis Pregnancy Center rebranded as Choices Clinic of Laurel, we wanted to be the first choice when facing an unplanned pregnancy. We also didn’t want the negative connotation of associating the word “crisis” with pregnancy. Furthermore, we don’t make the choice for you here at Choices. No, we’re not here to make the decision for the women who walk through our doors. We are here to empower women as they learn about all of their options, all while sharing Biblical truths and love with them. You’re not just a statistic at Choices Clinic. We agree with the sentiments of Bob Goff in his book Everybody, Always when he states: “People don’t grow where they are informed; they grow where they’re loved and accepted.” We take the time to meet with each client, listening to her story, discovering what it is that brought her through our doors. We then present her options with this pregnancy, explaining each option in detail. No, we don’t perform or refer for abortions, but we do provide abortion education, as many women aren’t familiar with what a chemical abortion or a surgical abortion procedure entails. We also talk to women about their choice to parent, as well as present them with the choice of adoption. Yes, we here at Choices Clinic identify as pro-life, but we also know one cannot “force” an opinion on anyone expecting them to simply understand your perspective. We can obediently speak truth into the lives of these women, investing in the relationship while building rapport and trust. But ultimately, the “results” aren’t up to us. We’re called to obedience, investing in these relationships no matter what decision is made, and the rest is up to God. We can rest in the truth that, through our weakness, Christ is made strong.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Through many hours of peer counseling, hard conversations, and ceaseless prayer, the cries rooted in fear by this overwhelmed woman were replaced with the cries of new life by her baby girl. Tears turned from mourning to rejoicing. A story turned from remorse to redemption; this is God’s goodness. We’re honored to witness God’s forgiveness, grace, and faithfulness in whatever form that may look like here at Choices; and in this case, from cries of wailing to cries of wonder.
It’s that time again! Join us this Saturday (March 23rd, 2019) at Gardiner Park as we kick off our 3rd annual 5K/2 mi. walk/Fun Day! Haven’t registered yet? No problem! Click here to register! You can create your own fundraising page – either as an individual or a team. And don’t forget – we’ll have jumps, crafts, and plenty of activities for the kiddos after the race. $10 armbands will be available for purchase for unlimited kid’s activities. It’ll be a fun day for the whole family! Grab your running shoes, and we’ll see you Saturday morning!
God has blessed this ministry EXCEEDINGLY AND ABUNDANTLY in 2018. We are seeing more clients than EVER before as we expand our reach to surrounding counties and school campuses. As a result, we are seeing more babies saved from abortion, more mothers and fathers learning about Christ’s love, more women getting earlier prenatal care, more students making abstinence decisions, and SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you for your continued prayers, donations, volunteer work, and all you do to share the work of the Choices ministry to our community. You are our cheerleaders! We were so blessed at our banquet this year with $32,000 in gifts that night and another $30,000 in pledges over the next 2 years. We would again like to thank our banquet sponsors: Burson, Entrekin, Orr, Mitchell, & Lacey; Creative Computer; Community Bank; ENT Surgical Clinic; Hardie and Nan Perritt; Rent-All of Laurel; SCRMC; Trustmark; and several anonymous donors. Because of their generous gifts which covered the costs of banquet, 100% of the funds raised that night will go directly to serving our clients and community. While we are incredibly thankful for all of the support we received at banquet, we are still short of our $40,000 goal. If you were unable to attend but would still like to donate, please visit friendsofccl.ms and click the “Donate Now” button. If 320 people give a one-time donation of $25, we will reach our banquet goal!
If you have any questions about who we are as a ministry at Choices, how to give or how to get involved, please call us anytime at 601-428-4357. We would love to equip you with resources to be able to share with your church, co-workers, and community about what Choices Clinic is doing in Jones County and beyond!
The wail heard through the wall.
/in Choices Clinic Blog, Choices Clinic News /by BrittanyMy coworkers and I sat in our offices as the cries of an expecting mother pierced through the building. We didn’t need to be in the counseling room to understand her sobs: this pregnancy wasn’t planned, nor was it wanted. We all felt the weight of what those two pink lines on the pregnancy test meant as her wails intensified. A beloved staff member sat with this client in her shock and pain, remaining with her through her tears and her panic. Standing near the adjoining wall to the counseling room, the remainder of the staff gathered together to do the only thing we knew to do: we prayed.
I remember when I began volunteering at Choices Clinic back in 2016. I had an idea of what the work at a pregnancy clinic entailed. It was a lovely thought, clear cut and awfully naïve. I knew about the group classes, the Blessing Center and the baby bottle campaigns. I realized Choices existed to help women with unplanned pregnancies, explaining all of their choices and showing them the love and hope of Jesus.
Choices Clinic: Counseling Room
Choices Clinic: Waiting Room
But what does that look like practically from day to day in the clinic?
That day, as we listened to the wails heard through the wall, it looked like a staff member sitting with a woman in her pain. At that moment, no words would suffice. Being the hands and feet of Jesus meant meeting a woman where she was in her distress, and staying in that place with her for a time. Not rushing her through the emotions, nor leaving her there, either. It meant recognizing she was a human with a soul who needed to be met right where she was in that moment.
When the Crisis Pregnancy Center rebranded as Choices Clinic of Laurel, we wanted to be the first choice when facing an unplanned pregnancy. We also didn’t want the negative connotation of associating the word “crisis” with pregnancy. Furthermore, we don’t make the choice for you here at Choices. No, we’re not here to make the decision for the women who walk through our doors. We are here to empower women as they learn about all of their options, all while sharing Biblical truths and love with them. You’re not just a statistic at Choices Clinic. We agree with the sentiments of Bob Goff in his book Everybody, Always when he states: “People don’t grow where they are informed; they grow where they’re loved and accepted.” We take the time to meet with each client, listening to her story, discovering what it is that brought her through our doors. We then present her options with this pregnancy, explaining each option in detail. No, we don’t perform or refer for abortions, but we do provide abortion education, as many women aren’t familiar with what a chemical abortion or a surgical abortion procedure entails. We also talk to women about their choice to parent, as well as present them with the choice of adoption. Yes, we here at Choices Clinic identify as pro-life, but we also know one cannot “force” an opinion on anyone expecting them to simply understand your perspective. We can obediently speak truth into the lives of these women, investing in the relationship while building rapport and trust. But ultimately, the “results” aren’t up to us. We’re called to obedience, investing in these relationships no matter what decision is made, and the rest is up to God. We can rest in the truth that, through our weakness, Christ is made strong.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Through many hours of peer counseling, hard conversations, and ceaseless prayer, the cries rooted in fear by this overwhelmed woman were replaced with the cries of new life by her baby girl. Tears turned from mourning to rejoicing. A story turned from remorse to redemption; this is God’s goodness. We’re honored to witness God’s forgiveness, grace, and faithfulness in whatever form that may look like here at Choices; and in this case, from cries of wailing to cries of wonder.
Written by Mackenzie Hurt, Outreach Coordinator
On your mark, get set…
/in Choices Clinic News /by BrittanyIt’s that time again! Join us this Saturday (March 23rd, 2019) at Gardiner Park as we kick off our 3rd annual 5K/2 mi. walk/Fun Day! Haven’t registered yet? No problem! Click here to register! You can create your own fundraising page – either as an individual or a team. And don’t forget – we’ll have jumps, crafts, and plenty of activities for the kiddos after the race. $10 armbands will be available for purchase for unlimited kid’s activities. It’ll be a fun day for the whole family! Grab your running shoes, and we’ll see you Saturday morning!
A Letter From The Director
/in Choices Clinic Blog, Choices Clinic News /by BrittanyDear Choices friends,
God has blessed this ministry EXCEEDINGLY AND ABUNDANTLY in 2018. We are seeing more clients than EVER before as we expand our reach to surrounding counties and school campuses. As a result, we are seeing more babies saved from abortion, more mothers and fathers learning about Christ’s love, more women getting earlier prenatal care, more students making abstinence decisions, and SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you for your continued prayers, donations, volunteer work, and all you do to share the work of the Choices ministry to our community. You are our cheerleaders! We were so blessed at our banquet this year with $32,000 in gifts that night and another $30,000 in pledges over the next 2 years. We would again like to thank our banquet sponsors: Burson, Entrekin, Orr, Mitchell, & Lacey; Creative Computer; Community Bank; ENT Surgical Clinic; Hardie and Nan Perritt; Rent-All of Laurel; SCRMC; Trustmark; and several anonymous donors. Because of their generous gifts which covered the costs of banquet, 100% of the funds raised that night will go directly to serving our clients and community. While we are incredibly thankful for all of the support we received at banquet, we are still short of our $40,000 goal. If you were unable to attend but would still like to donate, please visit friendsofccl.ms and click the “Donate Now” button. If 320 people give a one-time donation of $25, we will reach our banquet goal!
If you have any questions about who we are as a ministry at Choices, how to give or how to get involved, please call us anytime at 601-428-4357. We would love to equip you with resources to be able to share with your church, co-workers, and community about what Choices Clinic is doing in Jones County and beyond!
Serving Him Together,
Brittany Sherman, RN
Executive Director