On the anniversary of Roe v Wade, I’m celebrating.
I’m not
celebrating the justices who redefined life and liberty on this day many years
ago. I’m not celebrating the almost 60 million precious lives taken since the
Roe v Wade decision. I’m not celebrating the fact that today, nearly one in
five pregnancies end in abortion.
I’m not celebrating the culture that now
surrounds women, one that says, “You are a master of your own destiny... but
don’t expect us to help you pick up the pieces should you find yourself
pregnant and decide to have that baby,” or, “You can have it all… except
a(nother) child.”
I’m not celebrating the attack on defenseless
persons-in-the-womb, deemed undeserving of life because they don’t meet society’s
standards, whether due to disability, race, or gender. I’m not celebrating the
profiteering non-profit organization that is the largest provider of abortions
in our country. I’m not celebrating the departure of so many from the long-held
conviction that humans are image-bearers of the Creator.
So what am I celebrating? Bravery and faith.
I’m celebrating the bravery and faith of my own mother, who
declining an abortion (and sterilization) recommended for her own health, went
on to deliver and raise four children. I’m celebrating the bravery and faith of
my friend Lynn who, when faced with an unexpected pregnancy as an unmarried
young woman, chose to carry the baby to term and allow her to be adopted but
not forgotten; Lynn currently enjoys a wonderful relationship with her
daughter, now a young woman herself. I'm celebrating the bravery and faith of friends like Eddie and Patty, who befriended a chemically-dependent pregnant woman and ultimately adopted her newborn son while continuing to reach out to his desperate mother.
I’m celebrating the bravery and faith of
my friends like Greg and Marivi, and Nathan and Christine, who are joyfully raising
wonderful boys who were created with Down’s Syndrome. I’m thankful for friends
like Kathy and Vickie who have given of their time to volunteer at their local
crisis pregnancy center.
I’m celebrating the bravery and faith of many
Christians and churches who are beginning to realize that it’s not enough to
speak against abortion; we must be willing to walk through the messiness of
these situations with the women and men.
After all, like those unborn children, they are also made in
the image of the Creator. And that, in itself, is worth celebrating.
Photo credit: bossfight.co; graphics mine.
