Sanctity of Life

My mind has been full of thoughts about the sanctity of life issue these past few weeks.  This is probably because I’m about 1-2 weeks behind on listening to my podcasts and that was the topic during sanctity of life week.  Interesting too since I’m overdue on delivering my second baby…so these things are a little more real to me.  I wanted to just write about my experience  after a bit of a traumatic experience last night.  It all started with listening to the grounded podcast with host Ryan Dobson.  www.groundedradio.com I like him.  He’s actually a lot like my husband with his views on theology, apologetics, and “stick it to the man” philosophy.  He always mentions hot topics in the news  that affect Christians and I usually agree with his position.   On Wednesdays he covers topics pertaining to issues of worldview (Worldview Wednesdays).  This particular day he brought up the recent video of the Planned Parenthood worker talking to the undercover LiveAction workers about their “services”.  He also mentioned Dr. Kermit Gosnell from Philadelphia who was, among many other things, killing live babies with scissors.  Ryan didn’t go into a lot of detail, but brought a speaker to the show named Scott Klusendorf from Life Training Institute (www.prolifetraining.com).  He is also the author of “The Case for Life”.  He travels and speaks on the topic of life.   I’d heard of him before and appreciated the way that he dealt with the topic from an educated perspective.  During this same time, someone close to me lost their first baby.  And, as always there are many babies being born.  Needless to say, I’ve been thinking a lot about life and babies…and ya da ya da ya.   I was trying to explain some of this to my husband last night and was getting some of the facts wrong so I decided to look it all up.  After 2 hours or so of internet research I came across some news articles about Dr. Gosnell.  I read the reports and was directed to the grand jury report.  I downloaded it and started reading about all of the horrible atrocities that had taken place under his care.  Then…there were the pictures.  I quickly shut the computer and said “oh my gosh, there’s pictures…”  I didn’t have the strength to deal with that…especially being so close to delivering my own child.  My eyes filled with tears and I just stared at the blank computer…overwhelmed and traumatized at what I had just read and saw.  I quickly switched over to a game of spider solitaire to distract myself.  Later, I decided that I really didn’t know the specific laws pertaining to abortion in our state and decided to do a bit more research.  I ended at the Life Training Institute blog in which I found this:  (read the full blog post here)

Abortion is not wrong because many men and women regret their abortion later. Abortion is wrong because it unjustifiably takes the life of a human being. 

Abortion is not wrong because one of the babies killed may have eventually cured cancer or written the next great Broadway musical. Abortion is wrong because it unjustifiably takes the life of a human being. 

Abortion is not wrong because it may have a negative effect on our economy or may have helped cripple the Social Security program. Abortion is wrong because it unjustifiably takes the life of a human being. 

Abortion is not wrong because the nation’s leading abortion provider Planned Parenthood does many other icky things, including promoting promiscuity in teens, promoting violence against pro-lifers and selling fetal body parts. Abortion is wrong because it unjustifiably takes the life of a human being. 

Abortion is not wrong if some of the people working for Planned Parenthood help to cover up statutory rape or alleged sex trafficking, or if they lie about the facts of fetal development. Abortion is wrong because it unjustifiably takes the life of a human being. 

And abortion is not even wrong because some of the people who perform abortions commit horrific acts only paralleled by the scariest of horror movies.

Abortion is wrong because it unjustifiably takes the life of a human being.

I’ve always known this…but it helped me to narrow down my thoughts and feelings.  I’ve always had trouble communicating my view of abortion because of it being such an emotional topic.  Sin is still sin, and God is still God.  I had to wonder what God thinks of us and our decision to allow this horrible sin of abortion in our country.  I also had to wonder how many babies are up there with him…It brought me some comfort though to know that they ultimately reside with him and only had to suffer for a short time in this evil world.  

Are we marketing to the damaged?

The other day, I was in the shower...where I do my best thinking.  I was very excited to try my new shampoo/conditioner set that I recently purchased because I love having pretty smelling hair and because my recently highlighted hair has become quite damaged and I needed a remedy.  I had a thought...I've always had pretty healthy hair.  So healthy, and oily, that I could never find the right shampoo/conditioner to maintain the health.  Everything always either dried it out or made it more oily.  It was seriously frustrating.  My thought was...why does the hair care industry only market to the damaged?  They have so many fun products to use once you've highlighted/colored/permed and otherwise damaged your hair.  But, when your hair is healthy they leave you high and dry (or oily).  It got me thinking to other areas of our culture that perhaps do the same thing.  Any thoughts?  What about the church?  Do you ever feel encouraged to stay damaged in order to have a place in your circle for fear that health will actually ostracize you?  Just wondering...

Don't worry, He can handle me

So, hopefully you noticed that my blog got a makeover.  If you didn’t…perhaps you’ve had a week like me and you need a night out.  (Call me and we’ll get together).  Anyway, I will probably change my blog’s looks like I rearrange rooms in my house…often.  Ask my old college roommate…the room changed often and usually in the wee hours of the morning when I was supposed to be writing a paper…I often talked her into cutting my hair too but that’s a completely different story…LOL!  So, HI!  I know it’s been a while.  I’ve got a few ideas for blog posts but never the energy/motivation/time away from little fingers wanting to touch the keyboard to do it.  One of these days I’ll get around to it.  To catch you up on the life of Christy, I am currently 2 ½ weeks away from popping out my second baby…it’s a girl…and I couldn’t be more excited…and terrified.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated.  I also just completed the last big step in securing my career (just in time for my second maternity leave), I passed my state board exam.  These are good times...and...

Yesterday was a tough day…I had a few choice words with God about it.  Don’t worry, He can handle me.  The truth is that I am truly a blessed woman.  I have pretty much everything a gal could want…but I struggle with one thing…well I struggle with a lot of things, but this one particular thing makes me feel completely stuck.  My choice words to God were…um…what am I supposed to be learning in this?!  Didn’t you say that you’d give me a way out?  It really doesn’t seem like there is a way out of this one.  (Side note…Did you guys hear Pastor Jim’s sermon last week?  He talked about prayer…I don’t remember the specific titles he used but he talked about selfish prayers and I think it shook all of us up…cuz we all pray those).  Why am I telling you this?  Well, I had this moment where I was like…I’m angry and frustrated and I really wanted to just say it all to God…but it won't sound pretty or respectful.  I didn't want to blame God, I wasn’t questioning who He is, or challenging His will…I was just being real…right?  Doesn’t God already know what is in my heart?  Could it be that He is glorified all the more when I speak it to Him trusting that He can handle me? So...I did. I gave it to him.  If I would've been alone I probably would've yelled.  Instead, I just shredded my journal with my pen.  I gave it to Him...raw, yucky, and true.  

I didn’t have any earth-shattering revelations from God after my time of “spewage”…that wasn’t what I was expecting really.  It was cleansing.  I felt like I was able to empty all of the crap that I was carrying…but I didn’t have to do it in a King James Version-type speech to God. In the end, I was left with this… “my grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness.”  (2 Cor. 12:9)  Yeah, I really didn’t want to hear that…I already know it.  But, it is true.  And, regardless of what I feel in the moment I have to once again remember that He is greater than I am…and I’d rather struggle and know the truth than to struggle lost and alone. 

I’m currently having the urge to re-paint my living room…