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This book is an emotional read. Abby Johnson tells her story of her work with abortion provider Planned Parenthood and how she crossed the “fence” (a motif and a theme that runs throughout the book) to the Pro-life side. It is a moving story and it is quite personal. What is unusual about her story from others who abandon the pro-abortion side is that Abby Johnson was a former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic. Readers will appreciate the first half of the book in which Abby describe how she came to work for Planned Parenthood and also the mindset of some of those who work for the abortion industry. In the beginning of the book Abby makes it clear that she does not want to caricature or misrepresent any side and I think you get the sense in the book that she is genuine about that. She is honest in her description of herself and some in the pro-abortion side are very sincere in wanting to help women. What touched me reading this book is that it is a story that is about God’s work in her heart—and bringing her to see her sins. I was also deeply moved reading the book with her account of interacting with pro-lifers outside her clinic who were gentle, respectful and winsome. However being gentle and respectful does not mean one is not passionate or driven by conviction—it’s a case of both/and, not “and/or.” She describe how convicting it was to see people passionately committed to pray outside the clinics and how uncomfortable it was for her to see pro-lifers who genuinely care for her—and the women who came to her clinic. In some sense, her account validated to me the need for our pro-life effort to reach out to the workers also in a Christ like manner. I don’t want to make out the book as all sweet—certainly there is the darker side of things that Abby Johnson also discussed in the book—the reality hitting her when she saw the ultrasound of an abortion for the very first time and being unable to deny what abortion really is anymore; then there is the reality that she had to face with those in leadership above her in Planned Parenthood who was pushing for more abortion and riskier abortion in order to meet the financial “bottom line.” There is also the account of Planned Parenthood’s attempt to go after her legally and how frightening that was for Abby, especially with the lies and betrayal of those whom she thought was her friends and colleague. This is the story of God’s work in freeing a woman from her own hidden sins of abortions—and how God forgave her. I think this book is worth reading no matter where you land on this hot politic topic. For those who are pro-abortion, I think you can see the perspective of someone who changed their minds and why. For those who are already pro-life, you get a good perspective of someone who had an abortion and also involved with the industry. For readers who are pro-life and have not been involved in the cause, this story should move you. For those who are involved or who were involved with the prolife cause, this book will encourage you much. I will be honest—I cried going this book because so many of the accounts she gave would be things those involved with the prolife cause see. I totally recommend this book.
The Domain for Truth 