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Choose Life... There is a Jewish proverb that I learned from reading about a Holocaust survivor and it goes like this: "Where there is life there is hope." Seven simple yet profound words of inspiration had the power to comfort and strengthen people in the most horrendous conditions imaginable. Life and hope intertwined eternally, each essential to the others existence. I have recently become involved with our local crisis pregnancy centre and in one of the training sessions we learned that of the three options available – abortion, adoption, or raising the child, adoption is rarely considered. It is a reality that most women who do not want to keep their baby would rather terminate the pregnancy. We are not only talking about frightened young teenaged girls but also women of all ages, races, economic situations and marital status. We were told that women think abortion will be easier to deal with then giving away their child. What a tragic decision to have to face. At the Centre the goal, surprising to some, is to share the love of God with each person that passes through the doors. We are expected to be warm and welcoming; a calm and supportive presence for those experiencing turmoil in their lives. Remember for most of the women coming in (men, too), this is not a joyous occurrence. They are coming to us because they don't feel that they can turn to anyone else. This is a time of crisis in their lives. This is very much the time when they need the hand of God to guide and direct their path. Each woman who comes in must be presented with the three options – abortion, adoption, or keeping the child. This is required of us by man's law. But man's law has little respect for human life unlike God's law that reveals to us the sanctity of life. From the beginning God planned for human procreation: for the perpetuation of our species, for the blessing of His children with an eternal goal. If we look in Genesis 1:27 – 28 NIV, we read: 'So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."' God wanted us. We as mankind are no accident. We are His children and he loves us, each and every one. He wants us to love our children as well for they are ultimately His. The world around us does not operate on God's principles unfortunately. Satan has a powerful hold on most of what goes on around us. His influence can be seen everywhere we turn – education, government, entertainment, world religions, even in many of our homes. Satan, the devil, is identified as our adversary in 1 Peter 5:8. NIV "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour". When a lion is on the prowl, he is ever alert, seeking out the weak and easy target. Likewise, Satan preys on those who are vulnerable at any given moment because his great aim is destruction. What better mark than the fragile woman with a new life growing inside her, someone who is not sure which way to turn, confused and afraid. If she can be swayed to believe this pregnancy is a great tragedy then he will have not only ended one life before it comes to fruition, but he will have left permanent scars for that woman. The burden of abortion will be with her for her lifetime. The Centre volunteers strive to assist these women in finding positive solutions to the problems that arise with unintended pregnancy. We help access services within the community that will aid them for if we can help the mother than we will ultimately be helping the child. If the woman realizes we care for her first, there is a better chance that she will care for her child. For some it is as simple as helping to tell her parents that she is pregnant. For others it will be a commitment of many years and may include more pregnancies. The wonderful thing about the volunteers at the Centre is one belief that is held in common: children are a blessing from God. We will try to teach the clients about abstinence, and the dangers of sex outside of marriage including STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) not to mention the cost in heartache, and loss of self worth. But ultimately the decisions are theirs to make, and they must decide. How much simpler things would be if only society would abide by God's instruction: "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction." Deuteronomy 30:15. Yes, I realize in the context of the verses around it, God is directing people to obey him and be blessed for it or disobey him and reap the curses that follow, this of course is always true. But what if we were to just apply the words literally and instead of getting rid of unwanted children, actually bring them to life. Then there would be so many possibilities for good to happen. That child could make a difference to a couple who are not able to have children of their own. Not only would the child be saved from death, but a family could be created that would be ever grateful to the woman who had the courage to face the difficulties necessary to give them this blessing. Having children out of marriage has become a normal, everyday thing now and no one even seems to notice. It is not in a child's best interest to only have one parent committed to him or her but at least that child is alive and may achieve his/her potential. Life itself grants that opportunity. Abortion is such a common answer to the pregnancy question that it is offered to almost any woman who goes to the doctor for a pregnancy test. It is presented as a seemingly simple solution but a woman will not be able to walk away from the termination of her pregnancy without repercussion. It is like a promise that has not been kept, and the emptiness left behind is often filled with bitterness and despair. God knew what he was doing when he commanded marriage; that we each need a special someone to go through life with, to share the good as well as the bad, and raise a family securely together. For the women that come through the Centre's doors, too many do not have that security. They are so often women in unpleasant, unhappy, unstable situations looking for a way out of their misery. We cannot change what has happened already in their lives but we can try to make a difference in their futures. With God's guidance we try to give them help for today and hope for a better tomorrow. For without hope, why would any of them choose to give their children life? Please remember these women and children (and the men involved, also) in your prayers. May God look upon them with compassion – and I hope you will, too.
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