Seventeen years ago today was the due date of my very first baby. As it is with me, all five of my children decided to come later than their respective due dates, not that I'm bitter.
Seventeen years ago today I was scared. What would my baby be like? Was the baby a boy or a girl? How would labor and delivery be for me? What kind of mother would I be? What if I messed him or her up?
Every year at this time I tease my son and tell him he could already be enjoying birthday cake, but NOOOOOOOO... he had to come a couple days late.
He was well worth every day of morning (all-day) sickness, every pound gained, every back ache, every horrible contraction. He was worth the twenty-nine hour labor, with five hours of pushing. When he was born, he was limp, blue, and in distress. As I watched the nurses and doctor trying to revive him, all I could think of was, "Oh no." The look in my husband's eyes was that of panic. I kept asking, "Is it a boy or a girl?" and my husband said, "I don't know..." Then he heard the doctor scold the nurse who was bagging my son with a tiny breathing bag, saying, "Not so hard! You'll break his jaw!"
Fast forward to 2007. As I write this post, I can hear my almost seventeen year old son playing worship songs on the piano. He is so creative. He reads chords, then improvises. He was laughing hysterically this morning with his ten year old sister and twelve year old brother. He is unique, he is funny, he is strong. I am so proud of him, and so thankful to the Lord that his life was spared on his birth day. I am truly thankful for every day I have had with him, and will have with him.
A child is truly a blessing of the Lord - a heritage from Him, His reward!
As I have been reflecting back on this due date, I was struck by today's Supreme Court ruling upholding the partial birth abortion ban. Justin Taylor over at Between Two Worlds has a brief but noteworthy post on this.
Make note of your favorite politician's stand on this issue. It will speak volumes regarding his/her views on life itself.
As another Mom who has a miracle son, I join you in praising the God who saved him (and me) physically and spiritually!
ReplyDeleteLynn
I don't think a person's position on abortion necessarily communicates what how much they value life. It certainly illustrates how they define it, but that does not necessarily mean they don't value life.
ReplyDeleteConsider this statement similar to the one you made: "Make note of your favorite politician's stand on the issue of the ethical treatment of animals (PETA) It will speak volumes regarding his/her views on life itself."
We don't define any animal as our equal. Does that mean we are horrible murders that don't value life? No - it means we define things differently than PETA. And so it is with those that value abortion.
ps - I'm very pro-life, this is just something to think about. : )
Actually, David, I have put much thought into this. I do strongly believe that if a politician is OK with a baby's life being terminated the way it's done via the so-called partial birth abortion, then I do question how or even if they value human life. The only reason I can think of that anyone would not vote against this procedure would be that they hadn't looked at what it really is, and what really happens.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, a politician's approval, or at the least, lack of disapproval of the procedure readily makes apparent how they define life. This makes me nervous. It makes me think of eugenics. It worries me how "quality of life" could eventually become a reason to not allow a life to continue, whether inside the womb or outside of it. You see the logical progression.
A side issue, also, would be that of the intense suffering of the victim of this procedure... the baby. Interestingly, viability of a preborn baby is now at 22 weeks gestation. How any person could not be bothered by the horror the baby must endure does cause me to question how they would define a life worth defending.
So, while I understand your perspective, I still advise looking carefully at a politician's record, especially with regard to something as barbaric as partial birth abortion. I think it speaks more by virtue of action than what a politician may actually speak.
I agree with you on the matter of partial birth abortion. I was thinking of the earlier stages, particularly the initial days and weeks after conception. Which isn't to say that I'm in favor of that either. Anyway.
ReplyDeleteWow. :)
ReplyDeleteOur daughter is 10months old, and we still rejoice with every grin or chuckle. I just wanted to let you know how touching it was to see you describe your son at birth, and then fast forwarding to now.
I don't often think of my daughter being 17 one day. I possibly even wish she would stay this young and innocent forever...
You have given me a glimpse of the future - and I look forward to it.
Thank you!