Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to me. Matthew 25:41
A few thoughts I’ve been mulling over.
POLITICAL MESS: The past few months have been like a rough patch while watching the political scene unfold. We as a nation are floundering. The conversation has centered on outrageous behavior and less on what truly matters, a well-thought-out approach to responsible governance. I wonder how much the media is responsible for influencing the outcome. Some, it seems to me. I think we’re in deep trouble. There’s not a lot to shout about.
REFUGEE CRISIS: The global crises has added to this helpless feeling. Add to that the scary happenings. Brutality against innocent people is a weekly headline. What to do or think? Do we stop caring? No. We can’t stop caring. My response to the face of human suffering is to pray for those who need the help and pray that nations will respond with compassion and wisdom. I put myself in the shoes (or lack of shoes) of the person escaping for their life, and I can’t ignore their suffering. We can’t wall ourselves off from those who have no options. We cannot quit offering help to a world in need of it.
ABORTION STING: The issue of abortion comes in to play whenever there is a coming change in the White House. Abortion is a sticky subject. It is one we cannot ignore for it reveals our pulse as a people. By our silence we condone abortion even when we do not agree with it. There is much blindness on this subject and that is because we have differing views on the value of human life. I have not spoken up about this issue, but it is one that is close to my heart. I am greatly troubled by the intentional ending of a human life. When humans choose to look the other way and turn from offering protection for the most vulnerable in their midst, the defenseless person, and when it chooses to label them as nonentities or less-than others like some have historically with our African-American brothers and sisters, and Hitler and his comrades did, and militant groups do today with their acts of barbarism, terrorism and hate, then we as a civil society have chosen to look the other way like the uncivilized, with arrogance and indifference. All of life is devalued by selective social valuing. (One of my fourth grade students rudely called another student, “a failed abortion.”) Its subliminal message is unmistakably pervasive.
PROTECTED BULLIES: One of the most dangerous places in the world today is to be a fetus in a woman’s womb, particularly when the woman, her man, family, or government deems the living unborn as ‘less-than’ other human beings–unless they are wanted. Baby Eves and Baby Adams as unborn humans are being bullied by those who consider Baby Unborns as unequal and valueless, trashable throw-aways–unless they can prove their value, worth, and right to live. The structure is unequal in power, which is why I use the term, bully. The fetus is powerless and silent. The bully is powerful and bold. We, as the onlookers, are either egging the bully on by agreeing with them as we cheer on the sidelines, or we remain intimidated, inactive, and in an uncomfortable silence (like I have been), or we may act. Some begin to look for ways to help stop the bullying (and killing) by putting a face on the unborn Adams and Eves despite the payback that most likely will be their due, they, too, may become a target, and by helping those brave mothers who choose to protect their little ones.
For three years I was on a bully prevention team and learned how it works. As a school, we took strong measures to teach and expose what bullying looks like, to create a plan for the children to follow, and to offer safe places and go-to staff schooled in appropriate actions. The bully sees the victim as deserving the bad treatment because they are seen as weak and powerless. It struck me this summer after the crimes against the unborn were exposed, how in their defenseless position these little people and society’s dismissive attitude about them has the marks of a bully targeting its victim with the rest of us as bystander witnesses who are reacting in one of three ways. It is a sobering thought when you pull it apart.
The pressure to abort is huge. Ask any woman who is fending off the bullies. (I’ve heard the stories first-hand.) The callousness with which these unborn babies are being described by people in the industry is proof of how deeply ingrained this tragedy has become in society. We are protecting an activity which causes collective harm to our social-consciousness. Conceiving life and then destroying life done with little outrage, concern, or thought, is similar to the horror of racism, when society as a whole places value on some lives and removes value from other lives–including our baby sisters in the womb, females who have no voice, who can make no choice for themselves and who have no line of defense. Women, can we betray our littlest sisters?
THE WAY OF CONSCIENCE: Many women deeply regret the abortions in their pasts. They’ve told me their stories. I see the pain in their eyes and the sorrow that hides behind a curtain and reaches down to their heart. Twenty, thirty years past, they cannot forgive themselves. Something in them was deeply harmed. That is the second tragedy in this scenario. I speak for them and others like them. They would say, don’t listen to the bully and don’t be intimidated or you will regret it the rest of your life.
LIFE AND LIVING: We are given opportunities in our lives to do good, lots of good. Every day we make choices. Will we live for ourselves only or will we live for others? It is a hard thing. We are self-centered creatures. It takes daily effort in ourselves to alter our focus. I don’t do it well, but I do desire it in a very active way. It takes spontaneity and letting go of stuff, attitudes, and rigid ways. Honesty with yourself is your undying friend. We lie to ourselves, especially in our motives for why we do what we do. So often we self-protect. People matter. They do. It is up to us to never lose sight of this, especially with difficult people or those living in a compromised state. Offer life to everyone as much as you can and is safe. Everyone. Even the haters. Love wins.
MOTTO TO EMBRACE:
- Love God.
- Love one another.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
THE END
Great post, Norma! Well-said on all topics.
On the political climate…I have the feeling that it’s something that had to come, because of the polarizing effect of the last eight years of leadership. Things have really gone past the place where civilized discourse could be effective. It’s gotten to the point where Cokie Roberts, a PBS reporter whom I had respected, said that Trump supporters are ‘morally suspect’, and that’s just not right. “If you’re not with me, you’re immoral?” That’s crazy, and worse, it’s totalitarian.
We’ve got to embrace the fight. We have to be willing to get ugly with it. A prim decorousness, holding ourselves above the fray, is dereliction of duty. There are futures at stake…and lives.
Abortion…I did a lot of research into abortion for ‘Emerald Isle’, and it was frankly unsettling. There is considerable evidence that points toward foetal consciousness, or at least awareness, and we have to err on the side of caution.
It’s hard for me to say that, because when I was younger a lot of my female friends got pregnant, and got abortions (which devastated them). They came from cold and loveless families, and saw sex as a path to love, which it never was and will never be. I was the shaven-headed Chinese dude who looked like a Buddhist monk, and they found me a safe male confidante. It tore my heart then, and it tears it today. I remember their names and their faces.
And refugees…Barbara is positively terrified that I will invite a couple of refugee families to come live with us.
I read your comment with interest. All of this is difficult and has repercussions in how we live our lives. People like to play god because they can, because it is convenient (not messy), and because it seems socially expedient. But there is a dark side when we elevate ourselves to a superior position over other people. Yet, there is always hope. I cling to hope for better days.
Great post, Norma.
The unborn are victims without a true voice and women who feel pressured to have an abortion are indeed bullied, even if the bullying comes from within themselves. As humans, we can be our own worst enemy. I believe there is no greater evidence of our undoing than abortion.
Norma,
I jumped over here from Books and Such to read today’s post. I agree with you, and wanted to let you know.
*I used to think abortion was all right, because the government said it was legal. It’s scary that I used to think that way. Then I saw an advertisement in the newspaper from a Catholic group that showed Jesus holding an aborted baby, and He was weeping. Then I read the verse you quote above, and now-I donate to a pregnancy support ministry. I don’t believe in picketing an abortion clinic, but I do believe in supporting those who minister to the mothers and fathers. They pray and work to show God’s love.
*I was teased a lot when I was in school, though it was nowhere near as bad as it can get now. Looking back, I don’t remember school as a “fun” time; it was an endurance contest that I was in because in those days, home-schooling wasn’t allowed. The prevailing idea then among adults was, “Kids will be kids.” Such an attitude didn’t allow much support for overly-sensitive kids like me. The teasing I endured colors my social relationships even now, and for years it affected my relationship (or lack of it) with God. I felt rejected by my peers, so I felt God rejected me as well. (I thought that there was something wrong with me for me to warrant such teasing, everyday.) Thankfully, God is working to undo such a mindset. He reminds me that if I ever doubt that He loves me, all I have to do is look at the cross.
My first child was born in 1973 (for non-historians, that is the year of Roe v Wade). My husband and I were full-time college students with part-time jobs. Our student health insurance didn’t cover maternity. Early in my pregnancy, I spent a few days in the hospital. I missed classes and work. We finished the year with one degree (hubby’s), one incomplete (mine), a baby (ours) and a significant hospital bills.
Fast forward 16 years, and that same child was studying abortion. I explained that had he been conceived a year later, I might well have been advised to get an abortion–not that I would have done it. He was horrified. “You mean I could just not be here? Because you and dad didn’t have money? Like you’d still have it now.” Yep, the money that went to the hospital would have bought us a car. Or furniture. Like we’d have it now.
Three out of five pregnancies were paid completely by my husband and me, no insurance or government helps. We didn’t have much money. I stayed in the hospital as shortly as possible because of costs. I get what you’re talking about.
I was a senior in high school when Roe vs. Wade ushered in a new day in our land. I remember the debates and news reports. In my naivety I didn’t realize how far-reaching would be its impact. There were warnings that this would change the conversation. My one comfort is that God welcomes these little ones in His loving embrace.
Thank you, Shirlee, for telling us the story of your son and the reality of choices. That was poignant. He wasn’t an inconvenience even though it was inconvenient. He was (and is) a blessing I’m sure.
Hi Peggy,
This breaks my heart. It hurts to know you were treated so badly. My daughter was bullied for a while and it made her not want to go to school. I didn’t realize the reason until after it had been going on for quite some time. Life is painful in so many respects.
Some of what God does is that when He comes along side us, His presence is a form of healing. I’ve experienced this many times over in the years of my growth and healing. His love penetrates our deepest wounds and will lessen their hold on us.
My church taught that abortion was wrong. But, ultimately, we all have to figure it out for ourselves. When we can view it from the perspective of the unborn child, there is no question. I am convinced that most abortions are about convenience in some way. I think it’s about money too. I’ve known fathers and grandparents of the aborted and know they grieve the loss of the child who never had a chance.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. They are insightful. I’m sorry I was so late in getting to it. I didn’t realize it was waiting for me.
God bless you.
Hi Lara,
I was talking with a pastor and told him about this post. He shook his head and said, “What sort of society kills its unborn babies?” He said that it is hard to fathom that we really do this in our country.
I’m proud of the young women who choose to save a life.
Thank you for your thoughts on this issue.
God bless you.