Here's to the Lifers

Last week marked one of the most important "anniversaries" in America: on January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade declared unconstitutional, on "privacy" grounds, most state laws restricting the practice of abortion (here's my post from last year marking that anniversary). Every day of every year since, while the lives of millions of unborn children were being snuffed out unnecessarily, other millions of people have selflessly given of their time, energy, and money to resist this tide of death, most of them quietly and anonymously. I call them "lifers," and they all deserve a thankful salute.

Several hundred thousand of them (not so quietly!) from around the country and the world descended on the nation's capital last Monday for the March of Life 2012, to commemorate and mourn the continuing genocide of the unborn, but also to joyfully declare their devotion to life, Divine Love, and the cause of their tiny, helpless brothers and sisters. If you weren't there, you have to view photographs of the march and its participants--see some excellent galleries here and especially here--to get a sense of the high spirit and optimism of this gathering. What's especially exciting is that, from all appearances, the vast majority of those marching were YOUNG people in their 20s and even teens! This gives so much hope for a future in which NO child is thrown away, in which everyone recognizes that no matter how troublesome its life might be to its natural parents, there is a family who wants and will love and care for that child, and that the parents will get all the support they need to make that possible. That tide of hope won't be stopped by the mainstream media ignoring the movement, nor by all the hate, obscenities, and intimidation that can be hurled by "pro-choice" advocates.

Quieter and less visible, but perhaps even more heroic, are the countless thousands of people who work daily on the "front lines" of the pro-life movement in crisis pregnancy centers (sometimes called "pregnancy resource centers") around the country, counseling young parents about the realities of abortion, pregnancy, and childbirth, as well as providing pregnancy testing, sonograms, adoption information, and other supportive services. Working face-to-face with people in crisis or with chronic personal, social, and economic problems, every day, can be incredibly difficult, draining, and sometimes discouraging. But CPC workers' positive experiences with parents who have made heroic choices and turned their lives around, thanks to God and the workers' help, keeps them at this selfless task. My own beloved sister is one of them, working at the Jacksonville, Florida Women's Help Center. Please consider donating some of your own time and/or money to this noble cause.

Then there are those who organize and work for hundreds of pro-life and related advocacy organizations in this country and around the world (here is a comprehensive list of many of them), that heighten public awareness of the issues and help drive political change to promote life. You might not be aware that the fight for life is going on not just in the United States, but in many countries overseas. One organization that's caught my eye recently is Youth Defence (on the Web and Facebook), which is devoted to educating people, helping mothers, lobbying, and campaigning to keep Ireland abortion-free. The movement to protect the unborn would probably not have nearly the numbers and influence it enjoys today without the efforts of organizations like these.

How about the thousands of clergy from a host of churches and denominations that give so much of their time, energy, and guidance to parental counseling and pro-life efforts? And let's not forget the many ordinary, anonymous people who brave the elements, and even risk arrest and prosecution, to keep peaceful vigil near abortion clinics to pray for expectant mothers and encourage them to give their babies a chance.

Finally, I'd like to share with you one of the most beautiful and inspirational videos I've ever seen, called the Miracle of Life. It presents, in less than four minutes, the complete scientific case as well as the Biblical foundation for the origin of human life at conception. I guess producers of videos like this are likewise "lifers" who deserve our hearty thanks and support!

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;
and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee . . .
~ Jeremiah 1:5