The Whose-Who of "Choice"?

I had the very disturbing, in fact, depressing opportunity of visiting our county's department of Social Services office last week. From the moment I entered this brand new state -of -the- art office I felt like a "bad-guy". Although the room was huge and well appointed, dividing the space between 'us' and 'them' was a glass barrier all the way to the ceiling. In order to talk to 'them' we had to speak through a small vent in the glass wall.  All over the walls were bulletin boards with glossy posters proclaiming our "rights" to:  food, healthcare, education, counseling- you name it. Young mothers came and went, speaking through the little vent, requesting more money and "free" services for their children.

What bothered me most was one poster in particular. It asked; "Are you pregnant? Confused? Scared?" and encouraged telling someone you trust. It informed us about the safe surrender law in California. It is legal here to surrender your newborn baby to any emergency room hospital employee (even the janitor I wondered?) within 72 hours of his birth, with no questions asked. You might even be allowed to reclaim the child within 14 days (I assume that is if one of 'them' deems you trustworthy).  At the very bottom of the poster this appeal was made: "A trashcan or dumpster is NEVER a choice!"

On the surface this law seems so right; so noble. Please understand that I support encouraging women NOT to throw their babies in dumpsters. What's bothering me is this:  society teaches (by legalization) that it is an acceptable "choice" to throw babies in dumpsters as long as they are removed from their mother's wombs through surgically induced death. And I'm sure one could get a referral for an abortion from this very same office.  'They' are speaking out of both sides of their mouths!  "The dumpster out behind the hospital is alright for baby corpses but please don't discard them in the public area. Only the 'Doctors' are permitted to throw them away." Or, to put it another way: 'They' may toss babies in the trash but 'we' may not! Makes me wonder...would it more acceptable for unwanted babies in Haiti to be tossed into the rivers to drown if it were done by a "professional" tosser?  God help us!

The next day I read Psalm 12

Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone;
  for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
  with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.


May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
  the tongue that makes great boasts,
those who say, "With out tongue we will prevail,
  our lips are with us; who is master over us?"


"Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
  I will now arise, says the Lord;
  I will place him in the safety for which he longs."
The words of the Lord are pure words,
  like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
  purified seven times.


You, O Lord, will keep them;
  you will guard us from this generation forever.
On every side the wicked prowl,
  as vileness is exalted among the children of man.


What a sad but lovely contrast between the double speaking  of the wicked as highlighted above and the words of the Lord which are "pure like silver refined in a furnace...purified seven times".

God please grant each of us, your servants and true lovers of children, opportunity to meet and help the poor.  Open our hearts and our homes to help in whatever way we can. Use us Lord to help our sisters in their times of trouble. And thank you for keeping us and freeing us from the clutches of the enemy of our souls.

 "You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man." 

Footnotes

"First Comes Love..."

I knew there was something going on when Daniel called me for no particular
reason...seemingly, just to chit chat that midday. It wasn't like him. Then, after a few pleasantries ..."That's not really why I called, Mom, there's something else I want to tell you..." "Yeah?, what?" ( my heart began pounding) "We're having a baby!" (now my heart leaped in my chest!).

Daniel and Teagan

 I don't remember my verbal response but I'll never forget my physical and emotional ones!  My heart raced, my face flushed, my voice quavered, my body shook...all for pure JOY! I was in a restaurant and it was all I could do to keep from making a public announcement! I called Jeff, we rejoiced! I called my sister, my sister in law, my friends!  Everywhere I went that day there seemed to be some appropriate time to mention to absolute strangers that... I have my first grand-baby on the way!!!

Baby's first photo 

Our little one is due July 16th  and we are already head over heels in love!  I realized something the other night, lying awake thinking and praying for my children:  that not only are Daniel and Teagan going to have a baby, for this is their baby, but that I am going to have a grandchild and I will be that little person's Grandma! This will be an all new relationship for me and I cannot wait to experience it!

Proverbs 17: 6   
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.

Psalm 27:3  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

On Empty

Have you ever felt empty? Completely depleted. Used up. Finished? That's me today!
I feel like an overloaded charcoal water filter cartridge. One that adsorbs all of the gunky toxins from everything that flows through it.  I've patiently listened to squabble after debate after offense after altercation until I'm beyond blue in the face...I'm blue through and through! Now what?
Do what I've always done...throw my hands up, leave the room, throw myself on my bed and cry! And cry. That always relieves at least some of the tension. After that I can think for awhile. So, I think. I think, "wow...I am overwhelmed, maxed out, done for". And yet I also think, everything will be alright (for it always has been). Then I think a prayer; "Oh, God help me, please? - You've got the wrong person for this job, I can't do it anymore!" Once I get that out I'm on the road to recovery! For it is in that request, that statement of self-hopelessness that I release all of my anxiety and throw myself on the only One who can and will pick me up and cause me to stand again.
My spirit begins to commune with His and the Word which is hidden in my heart begins to manifest the peace that passes understanding.

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 2:19




Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.(1Co 1:25-29)

Philippians 4:13

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22

God has also blessed me with a tender and understanding husband who upon seeing me in such a distress, admonished everyone in the house to please be quiet... (I know they hoped I'd fall asleep). After this "time out" and the above stated meditations and prayers I was able to return refreshed to my work (that of teaching and training children) and press on.

Mothering can and will be overwhelming at times but God is faithful always and will calm the storm within so that we can weather the storms without. I have never asked God for help and had the answer be "NO"!

Here are lyrics to a song that often courses through my mind:

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile
'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The Warrior is a Child