“While the world celebrated love, I was trapped, terrified, and losing my baby at the hands of someone I thought I could trust”
What devastating words to read. What an awful thing for anyone to face. We are rightly horrified at the Epstein files, but this hits even closer to home. The Letterkenny Circuit Court heard that a young lady was forced by her partner to take pills to end the life of her baby on Valentine’s Day 2020.
In her victim impact statement she said:
“When he wrongfully imprisoned me and caused the termination of my nine-week pregnancy, he took far more than my freedom. He took my child. He took my sense of safety. He took a future that I had already begun to plan and love. My baby was real to me. I had hopes, dreams, and a bond with the life that was growing inside me, and all of it was violently stolen from me in a moment of cruelty that I will never forget.”
What heartache she and others face. Surely this is a scar that she will carry for the rest of her life. I wasn’t surprised that she said: “I will always grieve my child. I will always remember what was taken from me.”
I was surprised by was what she said next. Whilst the grief continues, she has found healing:
“Through healing and faith, I opened my heart again. I found love not only in my amazing husband, who treats me with the love, dignity and kindness I always deserved, but in Christ, who carried me when I could not carry myself. My faith gave me strength when I was broken, and it gave me peace when I thought I would never feel whole again.”
This is not a quick fix, or a denial of wrong done, but in Christ she has discovered love and the strength to move forward. The strength to forgive while still seeking justice for her baby.
I was really stuck by her words:
“I have forgiven the defendant. The forgiveness does not mean what he did was acceptable.”
These are words that comes from someone whose life has been transformed by the grace of Jesus. The wrongdoing is not minimised, but as we consider how much Jesus has forgiven us, we are able to extend that heart of forgiveness to others.
I am only too aware of what an emotive topic this is, and I am so grateful for her courage in speaking up. Her words about her unborn baby surely resonate in the hearts of all expectant mothers “my baby was real to me.” If you are struggling with hopelessness, hurt, or shame, Jesus Christ offers hope, help, healing, forgiveness, cleansing and sufficient grace for every trial. My contact details are at the end of this article, but please also note Donegal Domestic Violence Services 1800 262677 and Donegal Pro-Life 089 2469 599 offer help in crisis.
Nick Jones is one of the ministers in Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church. He can be contacted on 085 8889625 or nickjones2011@gmail.com
Milford RPC 
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