"It is not important to succeed but to do right; the rest is up to God" -C.S. Lewis
Nine different faces. Different colors, languages, ages, backgrounds. Nine different stories, with only one thing in common. Each of these women, regardless of age, race, and circumstances, were seeking a quick solution for a situation they could not face. Because there were eighteen heartbeats involved, nine of which were intent on ending another one.
This is the situation I face now every Wednesday morning, when Bethany and I do the Termination of Pregnancy counseling at False Bay Hospital. But any preconceived notions I had before taking this on have flown out the window completely as the LORD has brought about a complete paradigm shift-I'm not there simply for the heartbeat that might end, I'm there for the one that keeps beating and is breaking. Every week these women come, most of them from difficult circumstances hardly able to take care of themselves, much less a child. Many are afraid or in denial, most are weeping, confessing they know each child is a gift from God but they have no way to care for it.
And this is the message God has given us for them, two truths that we share. The first is we know that God creates all life, He has a plan already and a story written out for this child, and when you take that away it does hurt His heart. But the other is this, there is nothing we can do that will make God love us less. He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to take our punishment; He has forgiven all our past and future sins, and there is nothing that will prevent our coming to Him.
So how do you determine success? Last week I had a woman change her mind, now looking for full time work to support herself and continuing with the pregnancy. This week I held an little eighteen-year-old punk as she cried-broken hearted over her actions and situation, professing a belief in an unconventional god she finds in flowers and art-and I told her of the love and forgiveness of my God and His heart for her. The next day she went through with the abortion. But a seed was planted of hope, healing, forgiveness and love that she might otherwise never have encountered. Both are success in my mind.
God doesn't ask us to "accomplish" something but to be faithful in what He has given us to do. He has given us a seed to plant and HE causes the growth. Both these mothers and their babies are God's children and He cares for them equally. It's not easy to sit and fight for two lives, knowing most won't change their minds and will continue in the same patterns. But it is a privilege to be in that position, to offer hope where most find none and share the love and gospel of Christ. So we continue to obey and believe that the God we serve is big enough to redeem every situation. To Him be the glory!
