It was January 2010 when word got out that Focus was planning to air a pro-family commercial during Super Bowl XLIV.
Except many in the media were calling it an “anti-abortion” commercial – and many abortion rights groups were irate. Their condemnation was harsh. Many called on CBS to cancel our ad, despite not having even seen it.
The network ignored the spirited petitions urging them to reject the advertisement. It ran as scheduled in the first half. Traffic to our website spiked. As the night wound down, we were pleased to have helped ignite something of a national conversation about the beauty of life.
But then came an email from a woman back in Pennsylvania named Susan.
Susan had seen the ad. She was also pregnant, and her boyfriend was demanding she have an abortion.
But she couldn’t get the reference to a “miracle baby” out of her mind.
Was she carrying a “miracle baby,” too?
Of course, the birth of every child is a miracle.
Unable to shake the thought, Susan reached out to Focus and connected with Marie, one of our dedicated and committed team members. Susan had lots of questions and was simply looking for an empathetic and understanding person. Marie was able to provide helpful answers and much-needed encouragement during a series of email exchanges.
And Susan ultimately decided to carry her baby to term.
Three years later, we caught up with Susan and her daughter Avita. Here is a heartwarming look into their lives this Christmas.
We had no way of knowing what God was going to do through our commercial when we created it – but the staff at Focus was praying earnestly that God would use it.
We knew His truth – that life in the womb is beautiful. Preborn babies matter.
And women facing unplanned pregnancies are precious in His eyes, too.
That’s why we have counselors and family help specialists on hand to minister to people like Susan.
It’s why we help qualified pregnancy medical clinics by providing grants and training that help them provide ultrasounds and counseling to abortion-minded women like Susan, so they can see their baby.
It’s why we provide education to life-affirming citizens on how to engage our culture on the issue of life, and how to raise children who understand the beauty of life from fertilization to natural death.
This is just part of what the Lord is doing with the Focus ministry. From providing practical marriage and parenting resources to advocating for “the least of these,” we’re standing in the gap for the preborn, marriages and families.
Please pray for us. If you feel so led, your help to fund this calling would be deeply appreciated.
Through Dec. 31, a matching grant will double your year-end gift.
It’s the gift of family – the gift that can save a life.
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