Embracing the Solace of God Himself

I am halfway home after a few days hanging out in NY with my cool nephew so his folks could have some R and R and attend a wedding out of town. Not only did I get to spend some quality time with Anthony, but I got to receive daily full body washes from the new puppy, Susy. I was also responsible for caring for a sweet old cat who mostly ignored me. After fifteen years of life, he earned the right to do whatever he wants. Whenever he meowed, I fed him.

So, for several days, I have not been able to write my blog. This is mostly because Susy feels writing a blog is a ridiculous reason not to play catch, tug of war, or fetch sticks. She and her little puppy teeth and ever present licking tongue were very persuasive.

While I was in NY, I got a call from my Cities4Life team. They met someone on the sidewalks in front of the abortion center where they were offering support to women to choose life over abortion. They wanted me to talk with her.  So, I called her. One thing led to another, and over the phone, I shared the gospel and she told me she wanted to ask Jesus to be Lord of her life RIGHT NOW. I closed my eyes and prayed with her to accept the incredible joy of returning to a right relationship with God, the creator of heaven and earth. Wow.

Later, I read the comments of someone on Facebook responding to one of my earlier blogs where I described the miracle and delight of several women choosing life over abortion. This person asked, "And are YOU going to raise these children and care for them till they are eighteen?" (I'm surprised she didn't ask if I was going to raise these 'products of conception', or these 'clumps of tissue'.)

This is only about the ten zillionth time I have heard that question, but each time it astounds me. Really? Because I can't raise all the children of the women who change their minds, some of whom come to know Jesus and change their lives as a result of our ministry, somehow that supports her core belief that human life is expendable in difficult circumstances. (?!)

In her world, if someone talks a teen out of committing suicide, must the counselor now provide a college education or it is best to let the teen kill himself? In her world, if I see a homeless man who is hungry and offer him a meal, must I now provide a 401K and apartment and comfortable retirement plan or I have no right to assuage his hunger? Shall I just let him die unless I can provide for him till natural death?

It is this sort of world view of the "pro-choice" movement that mystifies me. Help should never be offered, nor alternatives with real solutions to help these women change the behavior and circumstances that led to the thought of abortion UNLESS the helper can provide for that family till the day they die.

Examine the premise in that sort of thinking. It is flawed at the core. If unborn human life is expendable, where does this rationale end? If the weakest and most vulnerable human's right to life is trumped by circumstances, we are all doomed. All of us will one day be dependent on each other at some point in our life. Is our value determined by how well others can cope with that dependency? When others find that dependency annoying, is it acceptable to destroy us rather than let our weaknesses affect their lives?

We are all weak at some point in life. If you don't know this yet, you will one day. We are all flawed. We all need each other, and none of us can save ourselves from our own folly and sin. That's why we need Jesus, and that's why Cities4Life unabashedly offers the life-saving message of the Gospel to every person we can reach while ministering on the sidewalks of the abortion center. Human life is sacred not because it is wanted, circumstances are ideal, or troubles will be eliminated. Human life is sacred because God our creator made us in His image, and He loved and knew us from the moment of conception. This is the premise, the core of why we lovingly extend hope and help and the truth of human value before God on the sidewalks of the abortion center.

So it is not easy work...but I am eager to return to it after my sojourn in NY. However, I DO miss puppy kisses, and Anthony's delight when I made him an exciting new creative twist each day on peanut butter and jelly.

I was sad to leave puppy Susy, my nephew and my incredibly fun sister-in-law and brother. However, it was time to return to real life. I made it to Richmond yesterday where I was overjoyed to have a whirlwind dinner with my very busy and beloved son and his delightful wife. They have an incredibly overwhelming schedule chock full of work, church, volunteer work, and a new home. Still...they made time for me. I felt mighty blessed.

Before I head home today, I plan to walk for miles and miles through this beautiful city. I am filled with thanksgiving to God for family, puppies, and tormented souls who embrace the solace of God Himself. It was a good week.
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Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”