Our hearts go out to the MANY young girls who are raped then faced with an unwanted pregnancy. Praise God for Crystal's faith and ability to hear God's voice during such a scary time. Read her inspiring story below and pray for young girls everywhere that they too could hear wisdom, guidance and FORGIVENESS from God, as well.

This is Crystal's story:

I am a birthmother from rape. I know what many people think about abortion in cases of rape, and I’m sharing my story to give an alternate point of view to consider.

I can understand how this issue might tug on your heart, and how it may seem really hard to consider it realistic to expect a woman to carry a pregnancy to term in the case of rape — that it seems impossible to fathom.  I used to think I was the only one in the world it happened to.  I’m not alone though, and now I have many friends who’ve been through the same thing and we’ve all come out stronger.

I was that young girl.  As a 14 year old, high school freshman, virgin, church-going, smart, young girl, I was raped at my school by an upper class man - a guy I barely knew.  I met him in an upper level math class and he convinced me to join him in the music department one day, took me into a dark room, and raped me.  I told no one for almost three months until I could no longer deny I was pregnant.  

I was my daddy’s little girl and I was devastated I’d lost my virginity which I’d hoped to save for marriage. I couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing my dad.

Long story short, my Dad insisted upon an abortion because he felt ashamed of his failure to protect me, and the family name. I felt ashamed and very sad for disappointing him and afraid to destroy my family.

Here’s where it gets good:  On the way to the appointment, I heard God tell me that her (my baby girl) blood was innocent, and to take His hand. I asked my Dad to stop the car and said I didn’t know what I would do (keep the baby or adoption), but that I would accept the task of carrying the child until she was born — to choose LIFE for her.  

I felt overcome with a duty to protect this helpless life growing inside me. I had seen her heartbeat. I knew instantly in the car, that it wasn’t her fault, no matter who fathered her. I knew then it was my duty and God would somehow give me the strength to bring her into the world.

I did just that, and with the help of counselors, I chose open adoption for my daughter. I picked her parents — a couple married many years who tried for seven years to have a family. She’s now an Honors student, and graduating high school in three weeks — one entire year early at the age of 16. She has been accepted to four colleges, and wants to become an ER trauma surgeon one day.

God is Good!

At 17, I graduated high school also.  I went on to spend two years at my dream school, Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying music business and voice.  I eventually moved to California, and completed my Bachelor’s degree while working full time in the entertainment Industry.

I published my first book in 2011! (Prayers & Pillow Talk: A Rape Survivors Journey to Self-Worth.) I’m currently featured in a billboard campaign in California through Tulare-Kings Right to Life, with Save The 1 speakers in each ad, so good things are happening and I definitely feel blessed and a sense of purpose!

My parents have now been married 32 years, despite that really trying time for our family.  My dad has since apologized to me, and said he is so very grateful I chose to trust God instead of trying to please him, because he loves his grand-daughter so much!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."  James 1:17

My daughter knows she is a gift from God. I tell her every chance she gets. She looks just like ME, and when I see her smile, I see how good God is and how he took this bad experience and made it beautiful!

Although she doesn’t know her biological father, and probably won’t ever know him, she has an adoptive Dad who loves her dearly and a biological Grandpa (my dad) who is crazy about her and so proud of all that she's accomplished. She has many uncles, aunts, and cousins on my side, and her adoptive side, who get to see just how wonderful and amazing God is and how He is able to do some really incredible and miraculous things when we give our problems to Him. She is a really happy teen who is discovering herself more everyday – she loves dance, photography, and singing.

How did I heal?

Mainly, it’s been knowing that my situation was used by God. Sharing my story to help others, helps me heal too, because shame can’t live when we refuse to be silent. Over time, and with the help of my counselors, family, and friends, I was able to overcome a lot of struggles. Plus, I was able to forgive the man who raped me. Why?  Because, after all, he is human too.

I almost didn’t make it and wanted to hurt myself many times because I felt ashamed. For many years, I hated him, blamed him, felt the world owed me one, and I was mad at God. The world told me I was weak, crazy, dirty, and that my daughter didn’t deserve to live.  But, now that I have peace with this journey of mine, it gave me an incredible testimony which I am blessed to see impacts people every day. I hope my story is an encouragement to you.

I'm Pro-Life for 2 reasons:

First, because I feel a passion to stand up for those tiny, little, beating hearts who God asks us to protect and provide for.

Second, for the women and girls who are so often left alone, abandoned, dirty, and feeling like they just can’t do it. They have been told throughout life in our society that rape makes them dirty, and that pregnancy is unthinkable.  But the sins of the father, aren’t the sins of the child — not any more than my sins belong to you, or vice versa. If rapists aren’t even given the death penalty (it’s been deemed too harsh), why should unborn human babies be sentenced to death for the rapists’ crimes?

I want all unborn babies to have a chance at life, no matter what any of us has done — no matter what mistakes have been made.

I want every young girl to know she is precious. She is strong. And to choose life. And that adoption is a good option. There are people who will love that baby to the ends of the earth if she feels she can’t be an adequate parent. And that is totally "OK!"

For another incredible story, click here!

HT LifeNews

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