(newest godbrother, 7th baby in his family!)
Today is the day that many pro-life Americans mark one of the greatest human rights violations of our time, the Roe vs. Wade decision. We honor those babies who have died in a most inhumane way. We pray for the hurting mothers, fathers, and families who have also been wounded by abortion. We offer our prayers and our support to those who work in the abortion industry and promote this great evil, that their hearts might be softened to the sanctity of unborn life.
We also lift up those who are in-the-trenches right now...accepting an unplanned pregnancy, adopting a child in need of a home, raising children even through great hardships, or dealing with the very real issues that face adoptive and foster families. We thank those who spend their life working for the pro-life cause, those who have opened their hearts and homes to mothers or children in need, and those who minister to some of the most vulnerable in our society, particularly the unborn and the elderly.
This is what we believe as pro-lifers: that every life matters, from womb to tomb. Every life is sacred. Every life deserves respect. Every human life is created for goodness, to eventually share in God's everlasting happiness in Heaven.
(our precious friend who has a chromosomal difference that causes many parents to terminate their unborn baby's life)
For us, the past year has been one of truly recognizing the fragility and sanctity of life. Last year on this day my dear friend +Beverly+ was chaperoning a group of area youth who attended the March for Life in Washington, DC. This year we all miss her desperately as we celebrate the life of her youngest daughter.
This past year has seen many losses for my group of close friends, and many pregnancy losses in my extended circle of friends. Recently I've been praying for a distant friend who has lost her foster son of 4 years, in hopes that he will be allowed to come back to their home. I have a local friend who adopted a teen from Eastern Europe about a year ago, and they deal with ongoing issues that many of us couldn't even fathom.
Today I heard the story of a friend who had to spend a week on the jury of a capital murder trial. Today I found out a friend's unwed daughter might lose the second twin in her unplanned but much loved pregnancy. Today I found out another friend has an unborn baby with a fatal diagnosis. So much suffering and loss.
Today is a somber reminder that there is evil and death in this world. There are hurting children, hurting families. There are people who haven't experienced love. There are people who don't respect life. We are blessed in our circle of family and friends to experience the selfless love and kindness that spring forth from a people that place their hope in a tomorrow that offers eternal life. I pray that each person in our own community, and especially our own family, can find a way to bring a little more life and a little more love into this valley of tears.
"...Turn then, o most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy upon us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus..."
(a little girl who has hope and joy even when faced with one of the greatest losses a child could endure)
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