The Right to Life Discussion continues

Last Sunday was Right to Life Sunday, or Pro-Life Sunday , or Let's remember Roe V Wade Sunday, depending on your pleasure of names.

January 22, 1973: I was just pregnant with our baby firstborn son Paul, conceiving him in love with my precious and much loved husband David.
This was the date that the Supreme Court said that a woman could end a pregnancy anytime she wanted to.

 It was shocking to me, as a young mom-to-be, that women would want to end, terminate, or discard, what I considered to be a huge gift from God, a blessing that was unspeakably joyous. I theoretically understood there might be mixed feelings about pregnancy if there had been a rape, or incest, or financial woes, but theory did not dictate actions and my underlying thoughts were solidly based on God's creation in the womb of a little person that He desired to be here.

Fast Forward: Forty years later, I have been gifted by God with 5 live births, 1 spontaneous abortion [aka miscarriage], and 3 adopted children, one of whom died at 9 months of age on February 1, 1984. I have fostered 5 babies as their mothers decided whether to keep them or give them to another family to raise; I have almost adopted a boy from Brasil, and been disappointed numerous times that my heart and circumstances did not match the availability of a child.

Who am I , that has such a strong feeling of the nurturing need for caring for children, dominating my heart and mind, even today? Our church supports Happy Children's Home in Kenya, Africa, and every time I see those sweet children I long to adopt them! It is not difficult for me to love children, as evidenced by my real affection for my little people at school who are current recipients of my love.

I have some friends who adopted 3 sisters from Russia, and I am privileged to be their adopted Grammy. These girls know I have chosen to love them , in spite of no biological , rational reason to do so. I celebrate them as little persons of great importance in the eyes of God, and love being included in their birthdays and special days.

I was reflecting on Sunday over the arguments I have heard regarding abortions rights, the woman's right to choose actions over her own body. I am astounded still at the very thought that this is a woman's private choice! Recently there was a television program and they had an intervention for a woman taking drugs. She was not being allowed to harm her body by using drugs and family all surrounded her and insisted she get help and support. Think about it.

Imagine if we had interventions for women who found themselves pregnant and needing to face the scary thought of raising an unwanted child? Imagine if we offered to adopt that child, buy the diapers and help the new mom learn to parent? Imagine if we cared more for the baby than the politics involved? Imagine how many lives would be made happier by those little sweet babies people think they have no time for? Imagine.

I am not a super woman, I am just me. We can make a difference in lives if we just keep stretching. Stretching is uncomfortable, and scary, not always attractive. Stretching might mean adopting rather than going on vacations to exotic places...uncomfortable. Adopting might mean 2 children share a bedroom and learn to share the parents...unusual. Adopting may mean leaving behind the notions of biological supremacy...and entering cultural diversity up close and personal....scary.

In a Facebook note this morning, my friend spoke of the pain and confusion following a child's leaving her home, one whom she thought would be staying.  I felt the pain with her, I heard the heart cries of her heart, and I prayed for God's comfort as she grieves the loss. But I will always be convinced that her loving this child, for this moment in time, was part of God's Divine Design. Since He is a personal, loving God, He accomplished His purposes and she was part of the plan.

These are the thoughts that are circulating in my head today, as my grown children are all living their lives, raising their children, thinking their thoughts that differ from mine. Was it worth it? Not having fancy exotic vacations?

 I am honestly able to say that through the pain(oh there has been so much pain!), and through the years, I would not have changed one single action. Or perhaps I would have.... ....adopting a child as an older, single mother. :-)   Do I dare?