Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Roe v. Wade: Observing the 40-Year Anniversary

Fifty-five million.

That's a lot, isn't it? It's more than the human mind can fathom. But it's the number of babies who have died in American abortion clinics since Roe v. Wade declared open season on our precious and innocent wee ones.

Observing the 40-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade is, for me, a day of mourning. Mourning for the babes whose lives have ended in fear and pain, in a manner that is truly unspeakable in nature and whose precious bodies have ended in the shameful grave of medical waste buckets.
"And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground." (Gen.4)
Currently, we sacrifice an average of 22% of our babies to our convenience. Babies who would inconvenience us. Babies who are not "perfect." Babies who do not fit our lifestyle.
"Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?" (Prov. 24)
Abortion is truly the tragedy of our age, and I mourn greatly for all of the babies whose sweet lives have been cut short.
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.... My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Ps. 139)
All of us bear responsibility for this travesty of human rights and human dignity. And we within the Christian church bear a great responsibility as well. We have often acted with passivity, not devoting the time and resources necessary to combat this evil. And even worse, we often harbor attitudes and ethical philosophies which, though not actively supporting abortion, have led to society's abortion mindset.
"As the church, we can examine our own posture toward children. So often we condemn women for aborting their babies when we hold the exact same posture toward children that leads to abortion. Our excuse is that, “We would never do that!” But if we are looking at children as a burden rather than a blessing maybe we are part of the problem." ("Bloody Hands" by Heather at "A Mother's Calling")
For those of you ladies out there who consider abortion a fundamental human right, please consider whether or not you want the slaughter of our most innocent and defenseless to be something you set your heart on.
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Prov. 4)
Dear friends, our sweet babies deserve better than this.  

(*While I welcome calm discussion and honest questions, I immediately delete all combative or hurtful comments. Please keep the conversation polite and based in the desire for loving communication, not the desire to hurt others or start a fight.)

Monday, January 21, 2013

Welcome, BIG Baby Boy!

One of my all-time favorite bloggers, Amy over at Raising Arrows - if you don't read this blog, you need to! - has had her baby! Baby Creed was born just a couple of days ago, weighing in at 10#14. Wow! Hop on over to read her birth story and congratulate this strong mama! Her story is both hilarious and a wonderful example of a great hospital birth, and I loved hearing how baby Creed made his way into the world. He was born into a wonderful family, and I can't wait to watch him grow up as I read Amy's blog!

Friday, January 4, 2013

We're Famous at Last!

My midwife does an incredibly sweet year-end round-up blog entry in which she summarizes each and every one of her births for the year. This year, we are included! Visit her blog to see her list of 2012 babies. Here is her summary of our latest baby's birth!
"Giles – Such a sweet family you joined that beautiful morning! Being born in the bathtub has sort of become a tradition to your mother as you joined your two big brothers as a waterbaby. This soft-spoken gentle soul that is your mother was a pillar of strength and inspiration as she quietly labored and then, with two roars, birthed you and brought you up into her arms. She was so peaceful that your daddy almost didn’t make it in the room as he was busy feeding your brother breakfast! (when we called for him because you were coming out, we scared him because the urgency in our voice for him to hurry made me think something might be wrong! Poor guy…) But everything was very right and you are a perfect little boy!"
And I especially love her loving tribute to those babies whose stay on earth ended before birth, leaving their parents with empty arms:
"And to the 11 babies who couldn’t be here with us, who had to leave before they could be held…..I will never forget you either. I shared tears with your parents who yearned to see you and hold you. Thank you for the gifts you could share with me, and I’m just sorry it couldn’t be for longer."
We have such a sweet midwife, and we appreciate this blog entry! Printing this one for the baby book, for sure!