Overcoming Darkness

This little smiley face is a week-and-2-day-old baby. He is smiling because he is alive. Cities4Life counselors spoke with his mama, and talked her out of aborting him. Then they supported her in every way they could throughout his gestation.

I was walking in the rain yesterday when I received the text from the mama with her smiling son's photo. Her pride was unmistakable. Such a young baby to be smiling. He is clearly a prodigy. Life is not easy for this mama, but she is so grateful she doesn't have the deep despair of killing her own child to add to her struggles. In fact, that very child is the source of her vigor in bettering her life now.

I read a horrific article in the local paper today about a woman who killed her 6-month old baby. She is a drug addict, and abused by the man in her life as well. I was sickened by the description of her home, her injuries, her life-style. Her two other young children, seized by social services, were found naked but unharmed, living in a filthy apartment filled with human and animal excrement. My heart cries out for that little baby, and those children. I despair that many will read such terrible news and decide abortion is justified when this is the life that awaits some of the babies saved through pro-life ministries.

No. 

Much as I grieve that this is the reality for so many children, I cannot condone a greater evil to put a band-aid on a lesser. I can't begin to know how to solve the problems of addictions, poverty, and blatant disregard for life. But I know it can't be solved by marginalizing the sacred value of little humans, and treating life as though it were an expendible commodity. The best I can do is use the resources, time, love, and energy that I have to help as many people as I can in similar situations. Because something is overwhelming should not be an excuse for inaction, or worse, condoning and ignoring the destruction of innocent human life.

This morning, I head out to the sidewalks of the busiest abortion center in Charlotte. I never know what will happen there, but God is always present. I often see miracles in the midst of the sorrow. The vision of this smiling baby will be with me and remind me that even this terrible darkness can, and should, be pierced.
************
charlotte.cities4life.org
************

John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.