Unplanned: The dramatic true story of a former Planned Parenthood leader’s eye-opening journey across the life line by Abby Johnson with Cindy Lambert.

Abby Johnson was the director of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan, Texas (home of Texas A&M and the Texas Aggies). She was committed to her work with Planned Parenthood because she truly believed that the services they provided helped women in crisis and had the long-term effect of making abortion less common by decreasing the incidence of unwanted pregnancies. She was idealistic, hard-working, and somewhat naive.

Then, in September 2009, Abby was called into an exam room at the Planned Prenthood clinic to help with an ultrasound-guided abortion. What she saw in the ultrasound picture changed her mind about abortion, about the pro-life movement, and ultimately about her own relationship with a loving God who loves Abby Johnson and the women who have abortions and the children who die in abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood every day.

One of the main things I got out of this book was not a change in my opinions about abortion; I know what I believe about the value of every human life. But I was so impressed by the loving persistence of the pro-life volunteers who loved and prayed for Abby Johnson for years before she finally saw the truth. I am so impatient. I have friends and family members who need to see God, who need to trust Jesus Christ, who need, and I have been praying for them and doing my best to love them as Christ loves me. But I am tired sometimes and discouraged. Will my loved ones ever see their needs and turn to a loving Saviour? How long, O Lord?

It took eight years for Abby Johnson to see the ugliness and greed behind her work at Planned Parenthood. Eight years. I have people I’ve been praying for only half that long, and it already feels like a lifetime. So, I learned from reading this book, something I already know: I can’t give up. Persistence, faith, love, and hope are gifts from the Holy Spirit indeed.

I am also moved to pray for Abby Johnson, whenever I think about her. It can’t be easy to have your life turned upside down, even when it’s God who does the turning.

My story is not neat and tidy, and it doesn’t come wrapped in easy answers. Oh, how we love to vilify our opponents—from both sides. How easy to assume that those on “our” side are right and wise and good; how those on “their” side are treacherous and foolish and deceptive. I have found right and good and wisdom on both sides. I have found foolishness and treachery and deception on both sides as well. I have experienced how good intentions can be warped into poor choices no matter what the side.

Don’t slam this book shut because of what I’ve just said. Read it for that very reason. Read it to understand the surprising hopes and motivations on the “other” side.~ Abby Johnson