Monday, February 11, 2008

Choose Life


It seems like no matter where we go or who we run into everyone is so amazed at what we’re doing for our son Jacob. Whether it’s the doctors or the nurses or the social worker or the person down the street… everyone has continually said how astonished that they are that we have him home and how we’re loving him and caring for him. This is somewhat strange to us… he’s our son… how else would we treat him?
Strange until you realize the sad state of the world we live in today. I spoke with a neonatologist who said that more often than not children with a condition like Jacob’s are often given up for adoption or left in the hospital until they die. That is of course, she said, if they even make it that far since many women don’t “choose to carry them to term.” How’s that for a politically correct saying? Karen read a statistic this week that said that only 20-40% of women who know their child has a genetic flaw choose to give birth to that child. In other words, 60-80% of women choose to kill their child rather than deal with a child who may be inconvenient, painful, or less than “perfect.” How sad is that? For those of you who have traveled this road with us to this point, and have seen how Jacob’s life has impacted ours, yours and other’s lives, you know how incredibly sad that is. That means there were that many more people who could have been impacted by little lives like Jacob’s who missed out on the blessing that you yourselves have witnessed and been a part of.
I in no way want to use Jacob as a billboard or a tool for any one cause (other than the kingdom of God), but I can’t help but think how his one little life has so positively affected thousands of people’s lives and the same could be true for millions of others but they were never given the chance. They were “incompatible with life” or “incompatible with my life” so they were thrown away. Literally. If you think that abortion should be a legal practice I strongly urge you to see it, know it and still try to defend it. Go to http://www.abort73.com/ and see it for what it truly is. I warn you… this is a truthful depiction of what happens and contains many graphic facts and videos (don’t watch it with children around!) It will change you forever. I can’t imagine for one second choosing that over the incredibly blessed time that we’ve had with our beautiful little miracle. And yet day in and day out that is the suggested course of action by thousands of medical professionals in our country.
I see all the news about the coming election and I think… “what should we vote for?” A good economy? Better “health care?” Security? Shouldn’t LIFE be the driving force or our belief system? Job 12:10 says, “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Isaiah 42:5 says, “This is what God the LORD says— He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it.” Life is a gift from God and thus should be treasured and protected.
Who gets to make the decision as to who should live and who shouldn’t? What defect warrants death and which genetic disorder should be allowed to live? It reminds me of the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery in John 8. “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.”
They all had faults… they had all sinned (Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”). So they all left her alone because they could not condemn her to death when they themselves had also committed sin. Don’t we all have some defect? Don’t some have bad skin or poor eyesight or bad coordination? Does that make the life God has given them worth any less? Is the person who lives 100 years worth more than the one who lives only 100 days? Does God have less of a purpose for Jacob than He does for others? I don’t think so. “Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’” What a glorious day it will be when all of our children are given the same chance at new life.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:8, 6:23).


" This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

10 comments:

Jenny said...

The picture at the top of this post is absolutely gorgeous! How luck you are!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post! Your baby boy is an absolute treasure, and it's so upsetting to read that people seem surprised that you've done so much for him.
I read your blog, and I pray for your family daily. I also pray that one day everyone can look at babies like Jacob and see them for who they are - not defects, not choices, but amazing, wonderful little people.

Unknown said...

I've been told that "terminations for medical reasons" happen 90-95% of the time for my son's condition. His nurse asked me today if I knew before he was born and seemed shocked we're walking through this. Some people have asked if I'll be "more attached" now that he's been here longer than expected. My only answer to that is - "Ask any parent who's lost a child, they'll never tell you they wish they'd had less time with them..."
Thanks for saying so clearly what I've been trying to say. I'm going to post a link to your site again. Hope that's ok. - Susie S. (Joshua Matthew's mum)
mnssams.blogspto.com

Destini said...

I share your sentiments exactly. Many people don't stop to think that God sees these children as perfection. Having had 2 roommates in college that aborted babies, I have seen the scars it leaves behind. What fixed a temporary condition has forever scarred the two of them emotionally. That is the part that you are not told when you go in there. I have yet to meet someone who had an abortion who still feel that they made the correct decision. I pray for your family daily. Your son is so precious!

Laurie in Ca. said...

First of all, may I thank you for choosing life for Jacob. What a blessing and gift each and every life is from God. I have been pro-life for all of my almost 60 years of life. The website you posted was so humbling and truly heartbreaking. I truly believe that each woman offered this "choice" should be shown these images, so that they can honestly know what this "choice" looks like. It is such a painful slap in the face to the Creator of Life, our Lord.
Thank you for shedding light on this most secret "choice". And thank you for sharing Jacob's most precious little life with us here. I am falling in love with this little baby. What a gift he is to your family and I know he is blessed that you chose life for him. Enjoy every single moment with this little miracle, he is such a gift.

Love, Laurie in Ca.

Anonymous said...

Amen! I'd say that not only does God have a purpose in Jacob, He has a GREAT purpose in him! Jacob's life on earth is teaching so many! What a blessing!

I, too, can't understand why someone would choose abortion! As for the "A women's choice" argument I always say: Women have 3 choices. 1)Don't have sex 2)Don't get pregnant and 3)Adoption. These are the ONLY choices that women should be allowed to have regarding if they should have a baby or not!

Thankyou for standing up for Life! And, of course you would take your beloved baby home and love him the way you do! What kind of person would do anything but what you are doing?! Unfortunately, there are many. I'm thankful that God has given Jacob to you, who will care for him and love him so well!

I have a child with special needs as well. The statistics you gave about how many people abort or give up their child who has special needs blows my mind! Well, the way I see it is that these people are missing out on A LOT! I wouldn't change anything about my son or the lessons I've learned by having him! Although, I hate to see him suffer, I know that God holds him and your little Jacob in His hands and loves them even more than we can even try! And that's A LOT!

God Bless You! Keep up the great job you have been blessed to do! Many are being blessed by your family and Jacob!

Anonymous said...

Politically, I am probably on a different "side" than you are. But while I try not to judge since I've never been in such a situation, I have no idea how anyone can abort a pregnancy. Your baby is clearly a blessing! Any "healthy" child can be changed forever in the blink of an eye by an accident or illness. Do we love them any less? Would we give them away or kill them?

I'm not saying you're being judgemental -- I don't think you are. I just had to comment because I think you did the right thing. You have children already and know how precious each moment with them is. Maybe people who don't have any kids don't realize what they are giving up when they terminate a pregnancy.

I think the "cute" thing you are doing with posting from Jacob's point of view is important. He isn't a problem, he's a baby. Congratulations on having known that even before he was born.

Anonymous said...

I was directed here from Susie S at "Be Strong and Courageous".

I watched a Louie Giglio video on Sunday, "How Great is our God". Did you know, that the cell adhesion protein molocule, the cement that holds every single cell in our body together, Laminin... it's genetic diagram and the molocule itself... is in the shape of the Cross of our Lord?

Truly is this passage true... "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and ~in Him all things hold together.~" Colossians 1:16-17 (emphasis mine)

We are all imprinted with the mark of His Passion, whether we are 'defective' or not. We are so valuable to Him He marked every single cell in our body as His own. What better reason to choose life?

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Jacob is beautiful! Choose life... definitely...

Anonymous said...

This might sound rather strange but I was taught by one of my Mothers I babysat for to take regular flour and put it in a pan and put it in the oven and heat it til it is scorched. Cool and use like powder on sore bottoms. It looks awful but from my experience it works. Don't ask me why.Barb Nin NYS