There, I said it. No apologies. No surprises.
But, what does it actually mean to be PRO-LIFE? I have been thinking a lot lately about this question. Lots of ideas and thoughts have gone through my mind and I want to try to articulate some of them so bear with me as I sort through some of them (this is just the beginning!).
Clearly it means to protect life ... to advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves. It means to make life a priority despite the challenges and difficulties that surround that life. I suppose much of it depends on what your definition of life is. I believe that life begins at the moment of conception. The union of one egg with one sperm equals life despite how tiny and incomprehensible it is. So even at this very early stage, I am pro-life. Science has made this question of life confusing and complicated which I think confuses and complicates how we articulate why and how we are pro-life. For me it is simple: protect life.
Here's a question: what are YOU doing to protect life? There are many answers I think and part of the reason for writing this post is to share some ideas on how you and I can actively protect life.
The easiest and least complicated is to simply give of your financial resources to pro-life organizations. These include pregnancy crisis centers, counseling agencies, provincial and nation-wide groups that advocate for pro-life (ie. the Campaign Life Coalition). I am sure there are right to life groups in your geographical location. They do great work and they are always in need of funding. They often offer counseling to moms and dads who don't know which direction to turn in, they help with the material needs a baby brings (diapers, clothing, formula, etc.) and they educate people.
Another relatively easy way to actively show that you are pro-life it to come along side someone who is fostering or adopting. These folks need support. They need emotional, mental and spiritual support as they deal with the ins and outs of the 'system', as they communicate with social workers and other professionals who work with the children and the birth families and as they love and parent the children they are fostering/adopting. This support could come in many forms: a phone call, a note of encouragement, an offer to babysit or even a play date! Sometimes they need financial support ... fostering and adopting can be expensive!
You could also come alongside a young mom who has decided to parent her child. Give thanks to God that she has chosen life despite how difficult a decision it was for her. Tell her that you are thankful she chose life for her child. You may not agree with her life choices but this is definitely one decision you can be glad she made. Encourage and support her whatever way you can. I am continually surprised that as pro-lifers we breathe a sigh of relief when a woman decides to carry her child to term rather than abort it ... but then what do we do? Often, nothing. We need to do something ... anything but leave her to fend for herself in a world where even two parent financially stable families struggle to raise kids.
A harder way to show you are pro-life is to foster or adopt a child. According to Focus on the Family there are more than 30,000 children in Canada waiting to belong to their forever family. The majority of these children are older (ages 5+) and there is a huge need for families to take these children into their hearts and homes and give them what they have not yet received in their short lives: a place to call home, forever.
And finally, education and awareness is key. Talking about being pro-life is one thing, doing something about it ... actually DOING something, is another. Be bold ... go out on a limb and I can guarantee you will be blessed.
What will you do? Do it today.
Blessings,
April
