Dear Friend of Life:
All this talk of ‘no rape exception’ in the aftermath of the passage of the Alabama law, and a thought…
People have said awful things to my friend, Paula, who chose life for her son, Caleb, after gang rape at gunpoint. What’s even more interesting is that she wasn’t in the minority as some might have you believe: Most moms who conceive in rape choose life and choose to parent.
The folks who are calling children conceived in rape — these precious human beings, no different from anyone else — names have one thing in common: They are very broken, hurting people.
You see, they are saying awful things to Paula because they are wrestling with the fact that they didn’t choose life in a financial issue when she chose life after rape. They didn’t stand up to the boyfriend pressuring them when she chose life after being held at gunpoint. They didn’t choose life in a career or school conflict when she chose life in one of the so-called ‘exceptions.’
The truth that we need to share with the world is that there is no condemnation here. Because, you see, I made decisions where I didn’t listen to my heart — where I didn’t choose what was right.
I fell short. Terribly short.
I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect others to be — especially in a crisis — or I heap condemnation upon myself. That doesn’t mean that we don’t call each other to do right, it just means we are very careful to point fingers.
Welcome to humanity.
Instead, my prayer is that these folks realize that there is no condemnation to those who choose Christ. He wills their healing and restoration. Paula serves not as a representative who condemns them, but as a message of hope that when circumstances aren’t ideal, we all have the power to choose better.
(Photo credit: Paula K. Peyton, Pro-Life Speaker)
If you didn’t choose life before, welcome to humankind where, but for grace, we all fall short of the glory of God. In one situation or another, we all have failed to ‘choose life.’ We love you and we’re just all trying to do better and become the best version of ourselves.
So, pray for these folks who are saying awful things: Behind those awful words is a hurting human soul, desperately in need of Christ and the ministry of His Church which can set them free.
Blessings in Christ,
Lauren Muzyka
Executive Director
Sidewalk Advocates for Life
info@sidewalkadvocates.org
sidewalkadvocates.org
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