Great Rejoicing & Great Weeping

When I got on social media yesterday, I didn’t have to scroll far before I saw the first of many posts. Roe Vs. Wade has been overturned! I hit the react button and kept scrolling. I had to hit it on every post. It was almost a feeling of disbelief, yet great joy and thankfulness, the answer to my prayers (of little faith I must admit)…Then I came to the hurt posts and the hate posts…some from close friends.

To those who are hurting, scared, even angry, I acknowledge that you are hurting and this is a time of weeping for you. I am open to hearing your cause for weeping if you want to talk. I would like to support you as best as I can. Would you allow me to explain why I am rejoicing?

I am rejoicing because this decision will protect women. It will protect women from making irreversible decisions because the abortion industry tells them it’s the best option without fully educating them (to the industry’s profit). A procedure being legal and accessible doesn’t mean it is the easiest or safest option in the long run. Many women regret choosing abortion and wish they had fully understood the procedure, had known about its possible physical, mental, and emotional consequences, and had explored other options.

I’m rejoicing because this will protect women who choose to have an abortion by allowing there to be stricter regulations. For example, laws requiring an ultrasound will protect women from the risks of unnecessary abortions for nonviable pregnancies and could save their life if they have an ectopic pregnancy which is not ended in the abortion procedure. Requiring high medical standards for doctors and abortion facilities will limit the medical risks women may encounter from the abortion procedure (though sadly these regulations cannot minimize the potential mental health side effects of an abortion). Laws that prevent minors from having an abortion secretly will protect young women from choosing an abortion out of fear and dealing with the consequences alone when their parents should be aware so they can support her, whether she chooses to parent, place for adoption, or abort.

I am also rejoicing because this decision will protect children. I cannot apologize for this and no one can steal my joy. Children have intrinsic value no matter the circumstances of their conception.

I’m not rejoicing over your defeat. I am for you. I have volunteered many hours at a crisis pregnancy center and talked with many women about their experience. I’ve talked to many women who have regretted their abortion. I’ve also talked to many considering one who are scared and need information, practical support, and love. I want to be able to offer all three of those things.

Especially if you would be a single mom, raising a child in our political environment may seem daunting. You have options though. For example, did you know that if you choose to place your child for adoption, medical costs for prenatal care and delivery will be paid by the adoptive family? Additionally, the birth mother has the full right to decide the kind of adoption and how close or distant her relationship with her child and the adoptive family will be. Did you know if you choose to raise the child yourself, there are countless organizations which offer free resources to women with unplanned pregnancies? There are also likely many people in your community who would be willing and available to assist you in parenting.

In closing, I want to share a few words from a woman who was in a situation similar to yours. It wasn’t Mary’s idea to become pregnant before she was married. She would face physical dangers and social rejection. She had the choice to refuse the calling God had given her. Plenty of other people refused to obey God’s call or made excuses. However, she answered “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.” And when Mary spoke, even the unborn baby John recognized her voice and leapt inside Elizabeth’s womb.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. 

for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty. (excerpts from Luke 1: 46-55)

Amen, may it be so.

Photo by Ahmet Sali on Unsplash