To all of our many volunteers and donors, as well as the multitude of individuals and organizations that have supported Pro-Life Utah over the years: I am eternally grateful for each and every one of you.

Everything that we have done at Pro-Life Utah, every child we have saved from abortion, every frightened and unsure mom we have helped, every bit of legislation we have helped pass, and every program we have implemented could not have been done without you.

May your Christmas be filled with love and laughter and with family and friends, and may God bless you and your families and keep you in His loving grace.

- Mary Taylor, Pro-Life Utah President

I had just hung the last ornament on the tree and sat down by the fire to take in its glory. I sipped on my hot cocoa as I watched the twinkling lights dance beneath the flowing robes of the angel that topped my Christmas tree. “Away in a Manger” played softly in the background. As I gazed at the nativity scene on the fireplace mantle, it seemed to come to life.

Sitting there in the warm glow of the fire, I thought about the insurmountable challenges that one unplanned pregnancy had brought to a young virgin mother so long ago as she prepared to bring a very precious baby into the world.

Mary’s Example for Mothers in Unplanned Pregnancies Today

How must Mary have felt when she told the man she was engaged to that she would bear a child who was not his? Was she nervous or frightened? Was she ashamed to tell her friends and family? Would they believe the incredible story that she had to tell? Did she worry about her future, her dreams or her reputation?

I can only imagine how scared and overwhelmed Mary must have been and yet courage and faith and love prevailed.

That old familiar lump settled in my throat as I reflected on this young mother's devotion and tenderness. Immense gratitude, love, and joy filled my very soul and a single tear rolled down my cheekMy thoughts turned to my pro-life work. At Pro-Life Utah, we offer help and support to expectant moms facing unplanned pregnancies. I have gotten to know many of these young women. They often have many of the same fears, yet we see time and time again that this is just a beautiful blessing in disguise.

Just like Mary, these mothers find that their lives will be forever changed and their hearts will be touched in ways that they could not have imagined.

Just like Mary, these women, are my heroes.

And just like Mary, they are often taking a leap of faith but in a very different word than the one which Mary lived.

These courageous women go against the grain in a world where the prevailing attitude is that everything in your life with children has to line up perfectly with your life pre-children. In today's world, “unplanned” means a quick trip to a cold and indifferent clinic where their "problem" is terminated and they are expected to go on as if that new life never existed. But it never really happens that way. Instead, broken, hurting women pretend it was their choice as they attempt to deny the loss of their own children.

If Christ had been destined to come to the world in this time and place, would He have even been born? Would Mary's best friend have urged her to "take care of this?" Would a family member offer to drive her to the nearest Planned Parenthood clinic? Would the baby Jesus merely be a choice to be made out of convenience and egocentric desires?

So many precious lives have been denied the chance to bring their unique and wonderful  gifts to the world. How many Gandhis and Mother Teresas have we lost? How many brothers and sisters, grandchildren, teachers, mentors, and best friends will we never know?

The lump in my throat returned but not out of gratitude, love, and joy; this time the tightness came from a deep sorrow and sadness. 

Every single person in this world leaves a beautiful mark on someone else's heart or in someone else's life. Every life lost is a mark that won't be made. Every new life is a child of God and has the power to bless the world in immeasurable ways.

Indeed, some of God's greatest blessings seem unplanned.

As I savored the last drop of my now-cold hot cocoa, I thought of all the women I have met in my work at Pro-Life Utah. An unplanned pregnancy can shake a woman's very foundation. It often seems like an insurmountable challenge—but pressure makes diamonds. When the choice is made to endure and overcome those challenges, the end result is always something beautiful.

I thought of the amazing women I have met who have found the strength and the courage to take that leap of faith. It is a decision that they never regret. My thoughts pivoted to their beautiful babies that might never had been born were it not for the friendship and support they found at Pro-Life Utah. Each one of their faces scrolled across my memory and I felt a warm glow in my heart.

Thank You, Utah

I pondered on the generocity, the kindness, and the compassion that we witness at Pro-Life Utah every day.

Before becoming involved in Pro-Life Utah, I never would have dreamed there were so many people eager to give of their money, their time, and their heart to this cause. Pro-Life Utah was built with nothing but grassroots support. I know many of our donors are not wealthy, yet they always are able to give just a little bit, and we always have what we need. When we put out a call for items that a new mother needs to set up a home for her baby, we're always inundated with offers.

When we put out a call for volunteers, that call is always answered. Our New Mom Support Program, our Post-Abortive Healing Program, and state legislative lobbying have all been done 100% by volunteers. I am so grateful for this passionate pro-life community and the many people who live and act upon their pro-life convictions every day. They are all truly like family to me.

Pro-Life Utah is only 5 years old, yet we have accomplished so much. We have helped moms, we've saved babies, and we have promoted state legislation to protect unborn babies. We have recently purchased a mobile ultrasound clinic van, which we hope will save even more babies. Similar mobile ultrasound clinics report that 8 out of 10 women who see an ultrasound of their baby will reject abortion and choose life. It's been an incredible 5 years, and I see even bigger and brighter things for the years to come.

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright

As I contemplated all of my blessings, I realized that while pro-life work brings many things to be sad about, it brings just as many things to be joyful about. I stared at the fading embers and then turned my eyes to the angel atop my Christmas tree, who looked down with her arms outspread as if to welcome every baby boy and girl.

Mary's unplanned pregnancy was like no other on this Earth, but I believe that all women have Mary's maternal strength and devotion within them. It is up to us to support these women, to love them, and to give them the opportunity to let their lights shine. I felt a lump in my throat as gratitude, love, and joy swept over me. A single tear rolled down my cheek.

We know it’s hard to face an unplanned pregnancy during Christmastime—and any time of year. If you need help, check out the resources we have available for you. If you are in a position to help this Christmas season, please consider making a donation.

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