I Am: Pro Life AND Pro Choice

Generally, I refrain from defining myself, from quickly ascribing to one particular social label or another. It's not that I'm not proud to stand up for what I believe. It's just that I believe that it's these labels that are and continue to cause many of the social problems we face here in the United States of Dichotomies America. So while you may think I'm a walking contradiction, I think I just make a whole lot of sense.

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that my Facebook news feed was flooded this week by articles from both camps regarding the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation's decision to stop providing funding to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings. I didn't participate in the discussion, but watched it unfold. And in the process, I realized that while I am pro life I am also pro choice. And I also realized that to be both is the most authentic position one can have.

You see, in order to be the "land of the free" we have to have freedom. The way I see it, you can't say that you're a right-winged, republican who believes in the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion and yet be anti-choice. It just does not make sense. Because if you are against a woman's freedom to choose the outcome for her unborn child, then freedom must really just be an illusion. Because what you're really saying then is that everyone should be a right-winged, republican, who speaks "freely" about your platform and who "freely" practices your religion and who chooses life for her unborn child. It simply makes no sense.

As a mother, I chose life for my child. I desired a child more than anything. And I discovered heartbreaking loss when my first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. But I didn't let this loss define me. Because I knew that my Father loved me and wanted to bless me with a child. And I didn't want to miss out on this blessing. And now that I have my son, I have realized that truly the greatest gift is not even my child (don't get me wrong--he's AMAZING), but the unimaginable, unexplainable and unconditionally abundant love that I have for him. So if I chose to abort him, I would have missed out on this truly awesome gift. But HE (my loving Father) would still love me. Because He loves me unconditionally.

And if you're a parent, then you know that you can't force your kids to receive your love. Because they're too cool. Because they perceive your actions as punishment or unfairness rather than love and concern. For one reason or another. It doesn't matter. You can't force someone to take the gift you're trying to give. So why is it any different when a woman chooses an abortion? Yes, there is an amazing gift as well as many many blessings awaiting her. But she doesn't have to choose to receive them. Because then she wouldn't be free. And then America really wouldn't be the land of the free. It would all be a farce.

But what if she doesn't know about this gift? About the many blessings she's choosing to forgo? And what if you were there to tell her? Like it or not, Planned Parenthood has become a place of refuge in moments of crisis. It's not going anywhere. So there's no point in fighting. But what if you were the face who lovingly welcomed a scared teenager into your facility? What if you were the one who got to sit down with her and tell her how much she is loved? To tell her that she's beautiful and to tell her that she doesn't need to be afraid. It's going to be okay. What if you could tell her that God still loves her, no matter what choice she makes. And that there is an amazing gift of love waiting for her. One she can't yet fathom. No first-time parent can. And what if you could honestly tell her that no matter what her choice, she should not feel guilt, shame or condemnation. Whatever her choice, what if you were the one loving her through it?

So you see, that while I am for life I am also for choice. Because I believe in freedom. Real freedom. And that involves the freedom to choose.






 

God did not come to judge us

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

We all know this verse. It is perhaps one of the most commonly quoted scriptures--the trite verse that believers reach for in some debate or another. But how has the most well-known scripture become just empty words? How is it that we quote this verse and then pronounce judgment for our fellow man? Why do we find joy in beating "sinners" over the head with this verse and then turn our backs to them in hatred and disgust?

These are the burdens that have been weighing on my heart these past few days. And it all started in the wake of JoePa's death. Social media forums exploded with an international outpouring of grief, remembrance, respect and honor for a man who had become a legend and who had left behind a substantial legacy. But some who call themselves children of God, chose judgment. "Now he gets to meet his maker..." And with this, my heart cried out in sadness. What an awful god to serve...one who doles out punishment and retribution. One who makes sure that we get what's coming to us. And get it good. Why would anyone want to serve such a terrible god, knowing that we all sin? That we all fall short of the glory of God? Why would He be any more gentle or loving with you when it's your turn? Is not your sin just as great as any other?

And in the midst of my turmoil, my Father revealed to me John 3:16. But His emphasis was on the word world. "For God so loved the world..." The world. Meaning all of us. Everyone. Everything. All of His creation. Not just those who were perfect (because there would be no one to love). Not just those who would choose to love Him in return (because that's what we often do). Not just Christians. No, He loved the whole world!

And once I settled this in my heart, then He changed the emphasis a bit and said "For God so loved the world..." And this is Truth. The gospel, the good news, is just one big love story. In His unadulterated love for us, He sent His Son to die for us. To save us. And He said so Himself--it's just that people don't often quote John 3:17.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Yes, it's true. God did not come to judge us. Just to love us and to save us. And that is the gospel. It's simple. It's real. And it's freedom. And He offers salvation to the world. Not just the elect. Not just the ones who strive really hard to get it right. But to everyone. His love, His grace, His mercy--they're available to everyone. In any situation. At any time. Always and forever. Some will choose to accept His love and live in absolute freedom. Others will choose to reject His love. But that doesn't mean His love for them has dried up, withered or grown cold. It just means that in His perfect love there is freedom to choose.

So yes, JoePa did get to meet his Maker. But wouldn't you know--that is the one person who loves him more than anyone else ever could. And I bet JoePa had a high old time there in his Daddy's loving embrace.

9/11/11

Ten years ago devastation hit our nation. I was walking to my first class of the day at Elizabethtown College when I heard the news. It didn't sink in. It couldn't be real. Our country was impregnable. It was simply impossible. And yet, instead of discussing Thoreau, I watched, dumbfounded, as the reality of this tragedy played out before my eyes on the television at the front of the classroom. And then one by one, my classmates dismissed themselves or showed up late with streaked faces stained by just the first of many tears--they couldn't get in touch with their families back home. Her uncle worked at the World Trade Center. Their families lived in the City. Somerset, Pennsylvania? That was really close to home! And mercifully, classes were cancelled although students lingered because the silence of being alone with this news was just too noisy. Our security had been breached. We had been violated. Would we recover?



(Photo: 2001 The Record (Bergen County, N.J.) Thomas E. Franklin)

But our nation was built on a love relationship with a most gracious, loving God. And as I watched the touching pre-game ceremony at the Eagles/Rams game just a few minutes ago, I was reminded of the humbling truth: "For God so loved the world..." In just ten years, He has swept up our nation in the most passionate bearhug possible and has just poured out love and peace on broken hearts. He has healed our broken nation. Redeemed it. Because He loves us so!



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What an incredible love that is. I am humbled by it and so thankful for it! And I thank God every day for giving me a son so that I can get a glimpse at just how fierce and unconditional it really is. I love Burke with every fiber of my being. My love for him grows stronger every day. And yet I know that God loves me even more deeply than I love Burke. Amazing!


Go Eagles!