Forty Years of Life .... Forty Years of Hope

 Zachary Alan: A Birth of Hope

It was the winter of 1985, forty years ago this very month. The chill in the Oregon air was heavy with rain, occasional snowflakes, and the deep quiet that only a winter season can bring. Yet, within our hearts, a different kind of anticipation stirred—a hope that could not be dimmed by either the cold or uncertainty. We were preparing to welcome our son, Zachary Alan, a child we prayed for, cherished, and longed to dedicate to God from the very start.

Expectation and joy filled our days, but those feelings were met with a challenge when the doctor informed us of Zachary’s Fred Astaire-like dancing feet. A “footling breech,” they called it—a precarious position that meant our son would not make his entrance into the world as planned. Instead, a Cesarean section would be required. In those days, such news felt more foreboding than it might today, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and birth. The realization weighed on us, yet through it all, the promise of our son—our Zach—remained like a flame that could not be extinguished.

We prayed. And as we waited, God planted a seed of purpose within our hearts—a desire to dedicate this birth to Him, to let our son’s arrival signify something greater. As though divinely timed, we soon discovered a brand-new organization had been founded in our community: the Salem Resource Center. Only twelve years had passed since abortion was legalized, and here stood a mission that sought to protect life—to offer grace and compassion to preborn babies and the mothers facing crisis pregnancies. This fledgling organization and its mission of hope aligned perfectly with our own prayer: that Zachary’s life would begin with a dedication to God’s grace and the preservation of life.

When Zach finally arrived—his tiny feet making their entrance through careful, prayerful hands—we saw not just our son, but a miracle. The cold, wet Oregon winter could not touch the warmth we felt in our hearts that day. Our hope had been fulfilled.

Indeed ... There is a Story

Now, forty years later, we stand amazed at God’s faithfulness—both in Zachary Alan’s life and in the ongoing work of that small seed of hope planted so many years ago. Today, that once-new organization has grown into what is now the Hope Pregnancy Clinic, a thriving testament to God’s love and provision. Just as we prayed for Zach’s life to bring hope, this clinic brings that same hope to every young woman who walks through its doors, often overwhelmed and despairing, only to find grace, charity, and the courage to choose life.

Hope is sustained in many ways. Through monthly and corporate donors, through community events like walk-a-thons (Zach in stroller, was at the very first), swim and bike gatherings, banquets, and other fundraisers, the clinic continues its mission to be a lighthouse of hope. Each day, they stand as a reminder of the beauty and sanctity of life, and the joy that comes when a young woman leaves those doors with a newfound desire to bring her child into the world—a story of redemption written anew.

In celebrating Zachary’s fortieth birthday, we also celebrate forty years of hope. His life and the ongoing work of the Hope Pregnancy Clinic are deeply connected—a symbol of God’s grace at work, no matter the odds or the season.

As one who was born to a sixteen-year-old mother, I can personally attest to the power of that hope. I am living proof of what happens when a young woman—though unsure, scared, and facing obstacles—chooses life. It is only by God’s grace that I live this day, and it is by that same grace that I pray hope will continue to manifest in the lives of countless others.

To Zachary Alan—the child of winter, the child of hope—your life reminds us that every birth is a miracle. And to the Hope Pregnancy Clinic, may you continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus, offering love and light to every mother and child who enters your care.

Forty years of life. Forty years of hope.

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him. – 1 Samuel 1:27 (ESV)

 

Mark Schultz 'What It Means To Be Loved' .... The birth of a child often brings circumstances out of our control. Regardless .... the miracle of birth is just the beginning of 'What It Means To Be Loved' .... Enjoy!