Jasmine and Victoria had never met, but they had a lot in common. Jasmine had three little boys and was pregnant with a baby girl. Victoria had three little girls and was pregnant with a baby boy. They lived two blocks from each other and they both visited Life Centers during their pregnancies.
Because they each already had three children, a fourth child would stretch their resources very thin. Both Jasmine and Victoria were concerned about their ability to care for a new baby. Both women chose life after visiting Life Centers, but how would they get the initial resources necessary to care for another infant?
Answer: a baby shower. Some women who come to Life Centers have a support system in place that will help them as they care for their babies. But other women, like Jasmine and Victoria, don’t have the type of community around them that is able to rally around and help with all the extra things a new baby requires.
In those instances, Life Centers often facilitates baby showers planned by volunteers to help bridge the gap. A Small Group from College Park Church was able to plan a combined shower for Jasmine and Victoria. Both women received many gifts for their babies—from Pack ‘n Plays and strollers to diapers and books.
And they received much more than baby gifts. One of the volunteers put it this way, “In the counseling room, we have a counselor-type relationship with these women. But at a baby shower, we are able to be friends and form transparent, open and deeper relationships.” The Small Group throwing the shower was able to pray with both the mothers and their babies’ fathers (who wanted to come too!), and also share with them about the Bible through a Bible game.
The grandmother of one of the unborn babies sent a text during the shower, “You all have truly blessed my family with your thoughtfulness. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Jasmine said she felt understood and not judged, and Victoria expressed thankfulness for the help and support.
Why baby showers? Because helping women choose life extends far beyond the counseling room. Baby showers are part of a greater effort to create a culture that values and celebrates life; that rallies around it and rejoices in it.
Are you interested in throwing a baby shower for a Life Centers mom? Click here for more information.
Jasmine opens a gift for her baby girl.
Victoria admires an outfit for her baby boy.