Yesterday was the 36th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade which legalized abortion in America. Admittedly, in high school and college, I was always one to spout off about "choice" and "mother's rights" and other such nonsense. I honestly had NO idea the process involved or any sense of science that proved to me just how quickly a mass of cells turns into a miniature human. I can only say that my opinion of abortion changed the moment I found out I was pregnant in 2000, and over the years, I've become more and more convicted as I've learned more about abortion practices. I often wish that schools could teach the science of it - to explain to people just what it involves. Teenagers are often self-centered, yes, but not usually deliberately cruel; if they understood just how much a baby might feel during the "procedure" or how developed even an 8-week fetus actually is, perhaps they would no longer find termination a suitable option.
My friend, Jackie, has always been a passionate supporter of the rights of unborn babies. In fact, my favorite "How did you meet your husband story" is that of hers and her husband, Andy. In college, Andy and his friend decided that the best way to meet "good, Christian women" was to attend the Pro-Life Rallys.... and lo and behold, that's where he met Jackie, his future wife and mother to his children! :)
Jackie wrote a wonderful note on Facebook yesterday - so instead of trying to be as well-spoken, I received permission just to post her note in it's entirety here. I'm also including a thoughtful comment from Kathy, another lady from our church:
Why It Matters So Much - by Jackie C.
Today I am very sad. I have been reading some things online where women are celebrating the 36th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade today. They are celebrating because their daughters will continue to have the right to abortion. I wonder if they really understand what that means.
My heart aches as I read this because I have held a baby in my hands that was just 19 weeks, 4 days old (gestational age) and he is considered a non-person by so many today. The baby was our son, Nathaniel. Even though he was silent at birth and he never took a breath outside of my womb, he was so much a person. All his fingers, all his toes, eyes, ears, lips, even his little male parts were complete and just needed time to grow. There was nothing about him that was a non-person. I have always been against abortion because I have always believed that life begins at conception. Nathaniel's early death just confirmed what I already knew. As I remember holding him, it is unimaginable to think that we, as Americans, are fine with a woman deciding willingly to end the life of a baby his same age.
Our next pregnancy following Nathaniel's death was an emotionally difficult one. At our first appointment, the doctor asked me how I was feeling. I told him that I was trying not to feel until I heard a heartbeat. He understood and took me right to the ultrasound machine to be sure we could not only hear a heartbeat, but see one as well. I had been praying to God for strength to get through whatever this pregnancy would hold for us. When I lay on the table, I was incredibly nervous, as was Andy. Then the ultrasound tech got a heartbeat, but not just a heartbeat - we saw something amazing. That little child, who we now know as Abby, waved her tiny little hand at us. We couldn't believe it. The ultrasound tech said, "Did you see that? The baby waved. That just doesn't happen at this age." She was 10 weeks, 3 days (gestational age). I believe that was God, giving me reassurance that all was good. I had seen the statistics many times and it was hard to imagine that so many would choose to abort a baby this same age. Once again, I was reminded that I need to continue to stand up for these unborn babies because "A person's a person no matter how small!"
I beg you to step out of your comfort zone and get educated about what abortion really is, if you haven't already. Abortion is a choice, but not a glamorous one, nor one without consequence. It is undeniably the taking of a human life. Many women have deep struggles after having an abortion. Can we as Americans in good conscience, continue to just allow abortion in our country? When will we say "enough" and truly live by "with liberty and justice for ALL?" I challenge you to be uncomfortable and stand up for what is right. You don't have to picket to make a difference. Pray and act. Start talking to others about what is going on and what the truth is. Support your local Crisis Pregnancy Center. Let our lawmakers know your position.
Follow-Up Comment by Kathy M.:
The moment we conceive, God imprints us as mothers---of children or angels. Never again do we have the luxury of thinking only of ourselves. That is the saddest secret of abortion, the emotional torment that a ghost lives with you for life. Never are we free of the responsibility for that precious soul. Our reassurance that God forgives, that God cradles those angels some give Him prematurely is a blessing we can rejoice in. Jackie-only experience can deliver a message so powerful. Thank you for sharing yours and using if for Him.
I echo Jackie's challenge that you step away from the "easy" and "comfortable" and stand-up for the babies who don't yet have a voice. It's not a "choice," it's a child.
4 comments:
Mags, Kathy's Story brought tears to my eyes. The tears were sad ones at first for the lost baby that was so young. The next tears were of joy as I read about the baby's wave. Bless your heart for sharing her story here. Hugs, Sharlotte
OOOpssss sorry. It's Jackie's story. I got the name wrong. Duh is me!
Great story and how true. Now our new president is letting the US fund abortion world wide. I am beyond mad about that!! All we can do is pray for the unborn.
Let me start out by saying at one time I too was all about the choice.
Why would you want someone to bring a life into this world they don't want. I thought the child would probably grow up with issues do to a parent who made a choice and didn't want to face the consequences and hence a child would grow up feeling alone, unloved, and abandoned.
I had an abortion in 1992 at 18 yrs of age. I never investigated abortion. The big thing then was that a fetus wasn't a baby until birth, etc., etc.
I remember when I found out I was pregnant with my oldest daughter I was excited. At 8 wks gestation we did an ultrasound and I got to see my baby growing inside me. It was an eye opener for me. For one it validated to me I was going to be a mom, something other than the pregnancy test to confirm. I had no weight gain at this point, no sickness, nothing but sore breast that would have even suggested pregnancy. Anyway, I can't tell you how small I felt when I seen that ultrasound and remembering what I had done to my first precious child. I have learned alot in the years past. I had a miscarriage and another healthy baby girl since then. I can remember thinking I suffered a loss of a child due to my decisions years ago.
Anyway to make a long story short I am now a nurse and work in a pediatric setting and have been able to talk with young girls and families that have contemplated ending their pregnancies. I cry with them and let them know it is a loss of life and a quick fix and that years from now they will never know the impact of what that decision will bring as it did to me. I also let them know God provides and what a wonderful blessing a child is and the impact they have in our lives and hearts. Thanks for listening. As always they say Jesus loves all the little children, all the children of the world......
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