Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Are You Really Prolife, Really?

valerie-1-minI think most Christians would be quick to say that they are prolife, and to their credit for what that label is worth, they most likely are. But in our culture isn’t that label just a more positive way of saying anti-abortion, or perhaps pro-birth?

I am not writing today to argue the issue of choice. Nope, today I am thinking about what it means to be prolife. To me, being prolife means you “do things to give a person all the life to which he or she is entitled (C. Everette Koop)."

dashayolBut the question is, who am I responsible to do this for? Certainly not just my own children... surely orphans are “entitled” to live as well... aren’t they? “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.” Prov 24:11.

So here is my big question... why are so few Christian families adopting orphans? Is it just that they are blissfully unaware that there are languishing children out there desperate for a loving home? If so, news flash friends... there is a child waiting for you.

aloyshaNo, not a cute white American made newborn... other children await you. Children who are facing life in mental institutions... children with repairable medical issues who will eventually die if they are left untreated.

“Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." Prov. 24:12

minadec2009-3-minThese are real people, real children living in orphanages, real children just like Kimani... waiting, waiting. How can you look at them and then turn away? Their pictures haunt me. I dream of going to get them.

cordelia2010-1-croppedHere are two very good reasons why you might not want to go rescue them; You do not have enough money or space for a(nother) child and You couldn’t handle a (special needs) child. Did you know those are the two biggest abortion reasons? Not enough resources and can’t handle a child. You don’t accept those excuses from pregnant women...

I attend a large church. I am part of a large Christian circle. There are very few families who have adopted orphans. I see so many perfect families around me. Happily married, middle-class parents with two or three darling home-made children. They say they are prolife and when it comes to voting against abortion rights, they are.


annajuly2009But what about when it comes to Anna?

14 comments:

gillian said...

powerful. thanks.

Tara said...

It is like you peered inside my heart and brain when you wrote this! I shared recently about RR at our church. I said, "We cannot call ourselved 'prolife' and not support these lives!" I used to think I was prolife. I had my republican voting record to back it up. (insert rolling-eye smiley here) But, I was simply anti-abortion. I get it, now. I really do.

Anonymous said...

Lay it down as it is, no sugar coating, raw, as reality often is.

CJ said...

Your posts never fail to amaze me, get my mind running and touch my heart. Very powerful. Very true.

The Sanchez Family said...

Absolutely powerful...I'm going to walk this journey :)
www.savingsofia.blogspot.com

Far Above Rubies said...

CJ is right. You never cease to amaze me with your words.

God is doing something in your life that is far greater than you could have ever thought.

He is using you to reach a people that are very much like white washed tombs.

Thank you my friend.

The thoughts of adoption continue to pierce my heart.

Jasmine
http://jasmine-windmillsandtulips.blogspot.com

JoAnn said...

TUC, thank you so much for this post. This is SUCH an important issue; we know that it is important to the Lord, because Jesus spoke of our responsibility to care for the widows and orphans, and made it so very clear that the welfare of children was on His heart.

My husband and I have been blessed by our adoption of two little ones who could not be cared for by their mother (due to her mental health issues). They are classified as "hard to place" because they are of mixed race (half black, half white), they are a sibling group (harder to place two than one), and the youngest has serious medical issues and physical handicaps. Coincidentally they are my biological grandchildren! :)

But adopting them has really sensitized me to this issue! I now long to adopt more "hard to place" children, particularly those with medical issues. I know that the Lord has placed this longing in my heart and will somehow enable me to accomplish this!

Grizzly Bear said...

I am a new follower and I have to say this really hit me in my core. Ever since stumbling upon Reece's rainbow I have had such an about face about me, the world, and these poor beautiful children.

Right now I am trying to put my things in order so that I can adopt in the future and it astounds me how many do not adopt and can. I don't mean to judge it just saddens me.

Great post.

Beth Herring said...

OH, how I enjoyed this post. So thought provoking and so touching at the same time.

Will have to go back and read some more of your story so I can get the whole picture.

Beautiful little girl..

Anonymous said...

Another post that hits the heart of this most important issue. Keep them coming,TUC!

Erin said...

Thank you,thank you, thank you. This has been my cry for years!!!

RK said...

Excellent point and very well said. To make clear that it's not just about not killing them but stepping up for the ones who were born and STILL need to be saved. This steps on my toes a little, and I'm already a big advocate and supporter for RR and others. But I like to be challenged and this did that. Hope it's ok to link and share...

Monica Crumley said...

Very well said and thought-provoking. Thank you for sharing that!

Linda said...

What a great post!

We adopted a cute white American-made 6 month old with Down Syndrome. People that adopt domestically are also doing their part to rescue unwanted with children with DS.

Post a Comment

Go ahead, say it.