Pro-Children in a Pro-Choice World

Since January (Sanctity of Life month), I’ve spent a lot of time thinking beyond the womb and pondering the impact that children have on their families, churches, and communities. This led me to think about those that carry a “my body, my choice” mentality.  Many that choose to abort their baby do not feel like they can properly care for a child, so they think an abortion is in the best interest of both baby and mother. So, let’s ask the question, what if the pregnant woman who thinks she cannot handle taking care of a child chooses life?  If she is “unfit” to be a mother, then what ramifications does choosing life have on the child?

Just last week a local police report circulated throughout our local news and other media sources regarding a small child that called 911.  When the authorities arrived at the home, the child (who was only 4) walked the police through the home, taking them to his parent’s bedroom.  Along the way, the authorities observed that both the home and the child were in poor, dirty, and dangerous condition.  

In Ouachita County, there are approximately 37 children in foster care at any given time.  The overwhelming majority of the children placed into care got there because authorities had to remove them out of circumstances very similar to what is described above. 

All throughout Scripture children are described as a blessing and a gift from the Lord.  But as we are well aware, our culture considers children an inconvenience and all too often as “optional”.  I think it’s pretty clear as to where the Church stands on these matters in theory, but what about in practicality? 

James tells us that pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is to look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27).  Church, these children are circumstantial orphans.  

It’s time for the Church to do more than merely say she’s pro-life. The world has seen enough of the marching and the judgment and the criticism. It’s time for us to put some action behind those empty pro-life words.

What can we do?  We can serve and support pregnancy resource centers that help moms-to-be know there are other, God-honoring options beyond abortion.  We can foster.  Invariably, the first thing people say in response to the idea of being a foster parent is “Oh no, I could never do that! I’d get too attached.” And the truth is, yes, you will get attached, but that’s exactly what these children need.

These children need men and women who are willing to throw open their arms, throw caution to the wind, and love them with the extravagant love of Christ. 

May we love in word and deed.

We Steer Where We Stare

“You are what you eat.”

 “What you put into it is what you’ll get out of it.”

 The older I get, the more I appreciate and believe the sage advice in old sayings.  There’s certainly a lot of truth in how what we eat impacts our bodies and that we can expect little return when we put in little effort. 

I have also grown to realize that the same principles apply in our walk with the Lord. What we put into our hearts and minds; what we read, listen to, watch, etc., has a tremendous impact not only on our own spiritual lives, but also on how we view God and others.  When we don’t make much effort to grow in the Lord, we don’t make much progress. I have learned that we become what we behold.  So what are we beholding?

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” -Colossians 3:2-3

To seek something means more than to just look at it; seeking is actively pursuing. 

When I was first learning how to drive, I quickly learned that if I looked off to the left or the right side of the road, then my hand tended to go that way as well.  I would unintentionally steer in the direction of where I was looking.  The same can be said of us in our walk with the Lord; we steer where we stare.

May we fix our eyes on things above.

Are you sure? When God's Answer is Disappointing

If you know me well, then you know that I am a planner (read control freak); I like to know what I’m doing, where I’m heading, and how I’m going to get there.  So, as you can imagine, when God throws me a curve ball, I think my whole world is falling apart. 

Truth is, a lot of times I try to run ahead of God.  If I know He’s leading me toward something, then I will do everything in my power to expedite the process.  If it’s a good thing and He wants me to do it, then why not do it now, right? Well yes, but not always.  Sometimes God makes us wait and we don’t understand why. 

When things don’t go according to my plan and God says to wait, my first response is often to question Him. Are you sure?  Right now seems like the perfect time.  I thought you didn’t withhold good things from those you love. 

Y’all.  God is not trying to rob us of anything.  The sovereign King of glory is a giver; not a taker.  And when He does take, it is for the purpose of giving abundantly more. 

One thing I’ve learned from taking matters into my own hands too many times is this: I’m 28; God is eternal. We are probably going to see things differently from time to time. 

God wants us to get where He wants us to go more than we want to get there.  And He is terribly good at getting us there.