I have been fortunate in that I have been able to be at the birth of each of my children. Each time I have held them gingerly, swaddled in receiving blankets and capped with that soft knitted hat nurses place on their tiny heads to preserve their warmth. Each time I have been overwhelmed by the responsibility of having such a little one dependent on me for their sustenance.
Both my wife and I are professionals with good incomes. We each have a very deep bench of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents to turn to for support in time of need – or just in times when we need a break. Then of course I have my church family who provide many hands and a great deal of wisdom. Despite all these resources, I have found myself weak-kneed when looking at the tiny, helpless face of one of my children.
I am very sympathetic to the plight of a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy without the kind of support we enjoy. I witnessed the effects that my wife’s pregnancies have had on her. I saw the struggles she went through. I cannot imagine going through that alone.
The truth is no woman need go through child bearing alone; neither need they raise a child alone. Throughout Missouri there are shelters, agencies and ministries whose single focus is to provide for the needs of women who have become pregnant and fear for the future. Mothers who choose to have their little one and accept the responsibility of parenting will find countless gentle hands and open hearts to help them. Mothers will also find thousands of families who are eager to adopt children without reservation. There are myriad people of good will who are prepared to help any woman make the life-affirming choice.
I believe that life is the only choice that can be defended morally. I know that it can be a daunting one. If you need help with your pregnancy, please know that there is more help than you realize, more than you might dare hope for. Just do an internet search for “Abortion Alternatives” and see the dozens of organizations ready to come beside you and hold you up. My prayer for you is that you may be blessed with that at once awesome and wonderful feeling that comes upon seeing your baby wrapped in a blanket, wrapped in your arms and wrapped around your heart.
