Precious Life is Worthy of Loving Supporters

    My heart is so heavy.  I wasn't going to speak on any of what is being passed around in regard to the Planned Parenthood happenings.  Not because I don't have an opinion.  Not because I agree with any of it (I DO NOT).  I was going to keep my trap shut for the sake of the feelings of the many women I know and love who have had abortions.

    I've been pretty quiet on the topic for the past couple years.  I didn't know how to defend the lives of those sweet innocent unborn babies without crushing the spirits of the women who have regrettably gone through with such procedures.  So, if you are a woman who has had an abortion.... know that I love you, so much.  I feel for you.  My heart aches for you if you are struggling with the choices you made.... but I can't sit by quietly when lives are in jeopardy.

    I'm always prayerfully seeking out the right words to say in regard to such a sensitive topic.  I am 100% in favor of all babies having a chance at life.... those who are found to have disabilities, those conceived in rape, those who are purely an inconvenience to the mother... all of them.  I don't want to get into all of this because I have this need to debate and argue with those who disagree with me.  I just want to speak on behalf of those who have yet to find their voice, and for those who never had the chance to speak.

    I've never had an abortion.  I was a prime candidate for an abortion, in the eyes of the industry, fourteen years ago.  I had this totally cute boyfriend.  I just graduated high school.  I had my whole life ahead of me.  I had a rep to protect.  The summer after graduation, I found out I was pregnant.  It was a shock.  I didn't know how to tell my parents.  I didn't know what life would be like from that point on, but I did know one thing... I was not going to take away my baby's right to life.  Abortion never made its ugly way into my thoughts.

    Life was hard, from that point on.  That boyfriend (now husband) and I had/have big responsibilities on our plates.... but it was also freeing... freeing because I knew I had made the right decision.  Freeing because I knew the value of that tiny little being growing inside me.

    Life changed when my son was born.  There has been a lot of trial and error.  There have been many tears shed.  There have been a few scares here and there.  There has also been so much love that I feel my heart could burst.  There has been laughter and cuddles and growth and overwhelming joy.  Had I gone in to have an abortion, I would have wiped all of that away in one fell swoop.  Had I taken away my son's right to live, there'd be a huge hole not only in my heart, but in this world.  Sure, Heaven would have gained an incredible blessing, but that was not, nor will it ever be my choice to make.

    I was also that baby of a prime candidate for abortion.  I was conceived by a young, unmarried woman.  She could have easily chosen to rid the world of my presence.  Depending on who you talk to, some say she made the right choice.... I'm here, so I'm sure you're picking up on the life-choice she made. ;)  She knew she couldn't care for me the way I needed or deserved, so she placed me up for adoption and I was raised by the best parents on the planet.  Had she decided that adoption was too much of a risk, or that I could end up being a horrible person some day~so she best not endanger society~I wouldn't exist... my kids wouldn't exist.... and boy, am I glad she gave me the right to grow up and have a family of my own.

    I've read some, and watched some, and pondered some, mostly while nursing my newest sweet angel baby.  There was one story I read of a woman who lived with deep regret over an abortion she had.  As she told her story, through beautifully written word, I held my baby close and sobbed.  No woman should ever have to go through that.  I realize she made that choice, but I believe many women make this type of decision out of fear, or misinformation.

    Some women say they feel no regret for choosing to abort their baby(ies).  I have thoughts on that... maybe they don't fully grasp what has taken place, maybe they aren't being honest about their feelings, maybe they really don't care... I don't know, but I do know that Jesus still loves these women, and He wants to extend His grace and mercy to them, if only they'll confess their sins and accept Him.

    The thing that frustrates me almost as much as the pro-choice stance, almost as much as the arguments they sling at pro-lifers, is the hatred some of my fellow pro-lifers have for women who have aborted their babies.  Yes, there are truly detestable people out there, who need a good verbal smack down, but to lump all post-abortion women into one category is wrong.  Many live with enough regret to last their entire lifetime... they don't need our judgement or those verbal stones thrown at them.  Simmer down and love on them already.  Jesus is willing to forgive us for all the horrific crap we do, so what makes us think these women are unforgivable?  He died for ALL... because ALL have fallen short of His GLORY.  ALL.... ALL SINS.... ALL PEOPLE.  ALL.

    Anyway, this is part of the reason I try not to speak... I go on a rampage and have a hard time straightening up my act.  Working on it.

   The point is, abortion is a detestable thing.  Let's fight that... let's fight the act and give people the information they need to hear.  Also, let's show the women, and even the people who work in the industry the love of Jesus.  When hate is thrown at me, I shut down.  I'm turned off to whoever (or is it whomever? whatever) is speaking.  I want nothing to do with them or their ideologies.  But when someone speaks to me in love, and has a passion for their beliefs, rather than an agenda to chop mine up into bits, I'm more apt to hear the words they're speaking and open my heart and mind.

    So yes, please... make people aware of the atrocity that abortion is, but do so with love for those unborn babies, love for the women who are in tough situations, and love for those who "know not what they do."  Hate should play no part in a movement that places such high value on the sanctity of life.

Love to you all.

~Em

*A Challenge for my Friends*

    There's so much happening in the world today that has people on edge.  I especially notice it in the Christian community.  It seems everyone, from all walks of life are feeling persecuted in some way.  People are offended by so many things that the verbal wars run rampant. Others are terrified for their safety - their lives - because of terrorism, natural disasters, and what many have been calling "the signs of the times."

    As I scrolled through my newsfeed, tonight, I began to weep.  I cried because my heart is heavy and broken.  I can only imagine what God is feeling.  There are so many things I see that hurt me to my core.... and some that don't, but probably should.  This world is chaos.  This world is scary.  There are no guarantees.... the horrible possiblilities are infinite.

    Children are being taken from loving, stable homes because of parents who think outside the box.  Others are being left in unsafe homes, despite obvious signs of abuse and neglect.  People are fighting over the definition of marriage.  Innocent unborn human lives are being killed and tossed in the trash daily.  Women and children are being trafficked into unimaginable forms of slavery (what type of slavery isn't?).  The right to bear arms is being debated because of criminals who commit heinous crimes.  We're fighting over flags and symbols and food while our country crumbles beneath our feet.

   I wanted to throw in the towel.  I wanted to say "to hell with it all" and hide in a cave somewhere.  But the Lord tugged on my heart..... my imperfect, often bitter, sinful, broken, yet willing heart.  He reminded me that we must cast all our cares upon HIM.  He loves us.  He loves us despite our sinfulness, brokenness, wretchedness.  He sees His creation.  He sees through the ugliness and finds the beauty in His children.  He desires that we all allow Him to cleanse us.... He desires that we all seek FREEDOM in Him.  He wants to extend His grace and mercy, if only we'll accept it.

    We all obviously have very strong convictions on many topics.  Things get heated.  Friendships get ruined.  I noticed I've lost a few friends recently, and I haven't said much about anything lately other than what life is like with my husband and kiddos.  Maybe I've said a few things here and there, but man, I try my best to say everything out of love.... yet my words, too, are offensive to some.  You know, that's okay.  While part of me has this desire to keep everyone happy and to keep the peace, maybe I'm just not the best sort of friend for all the people in the world.... and maybe all the people in the world just aren't the best sorts of friends for me.

    In the midst of all these crumbling friendships, various mini-battles, and other happenings that tend to bring us down.... I challenge you, those friends I do have left, to walk in love.  Whether you are a believer or not, whether you're gay or straight, republican, democrat, black, white, purple, fat, thin, rich, or poor.... keep your convictions, speak highly of the things you believe in, but walk in love.  LOVE.

    We don't have to agree on everything to love each other.  Right?  I mean, my husband and I don't agree on everything.  We agree on most things, but sometimes we disagree.  That doesn't mean I'm going to unfriend him on Facebook and throw a tantrum and spew words of hate at him..... well, okay, I may have messed up and done one or two of those things, one, or a few times.... but the point is ~ we still love each other.  That might not be the best example, seeing as we made vows to stick together for life.... but the same can be applied to most of my friendships.  Those that aren't worth keeping can fizzle out, peacefully.... but there's no need to shake my finger in their face, threaten to unfriend them if they don't see things my way, and act juvenile over every little issue every.single.day.

    If you must choose different paths from those you know, do so quietly.... lovingly. If you can overlook your differences.... even better!  Life is too short for me to hate on those who have different opinions.  Life is too valuable for me to waste my time arguing with people of opposite views.  I want to change lives for the better, not beat my opinions into them.  I want to encourage, uplift, and strengthen others.... I don't want to be the cause of stress, anxiety, or defeat in another person's life.

    If you have different views than me, know that I love you.... Jesus loves you (even if you don't believe in Him), and I send you hugs.... You are cherished by the One who created you.  You are loved ever so much.  You are valued.  You are amazing.

~Em