Pro-Life but Not Celebrating

I consider myself Pro-Life, but I would not use the word "celebrate" to describe how I feel about the recent SCOTUS decision.

Some of these babies that were going to be aborted will now be born to resentful mothers who didn't want to give birth to them in the first place. Consider for one moment what that does to the mother-child relationship!

I've heard people say absentmindedly, "you wanted to have sex, now deal with the consequences." Well, we can say the same thing to pro-lifers. "You wanted less abortions, now go help those mothers in every way you can."

I support a small government, and I expect that the more locally-based our laws are, the more motivated people should get about voting.

And while I detest the thought of ending human life in the womb, I also cannot ignore the fact that this is a situation that pits two people's interests against each other. There cannot always be a clear and obvious winner.

Strangely, when I heard the news, I was overwhelmed with emotion that made me feel like now was the time to walk the walk. It's not enough to be "against abortion". Abortions will still take place. If not in one state, in another. And if not legally, then illegally. It's far more crucial to be "for all life".

Are we supposed to merely be satisfied with unborn babies being born? Regardless of the circumstances into which they are born? Regardless if they will then go on to be neglected or abused because their parents had no business becoming parents? Regardless of the toll it takes on their mother's bodies, mental health, and ability to feed the rest of the family?

If we are truly "Pro-Life", then we need to put our money where our mouths are. We need to step up and donate to, or volunteer with, crisis pregnancy centers. We need to provide what many women facing difficult pregnancies lack. First and foremost, they need our compassion, followed closely by material support.

Neonatal care, maternity clothes, often a place to live (because sadly a lot of "pro-lifers" are also part of the "purity culture" where they'd rather shame their unwed teenaged daughter for getting pregnant than support her through it) and a source of income. The cost of childbirth is astronomical if you have to pay out of pocket.

Then comes all the costs associated with caring for a baby. Many of these costs can be averted or minimized by utilizing "old-school" methods. I'm thinking here of breastfeeding on cue and cloth diapers and elimination communication. But most of the women facing unplanned pregnancies do not have the luxury of staying home to care for her child. In that case, not only will she need to pay for formula and disposable diapers, but also for daycare.

So for every time you think of yourself as a "pro-lifer", ask yourself; what have I done lately to support a woman facing a difficult pregnancy?

As much as I believe in the power of prayer, prayer alone is not enough. Prayer is meant to move us to action. It is meant as a tool of discernment so we can open ourselves up to God leading us to be Christ's hands and feet in the world. By all means, pray your heart our for these babies and these women. But then, make a donation, or set up a recurring donation. Or go volunteer.

We can celebrate when all women feel supported through their pregnancies, when all women can avoid getting pregnant unintentionally, and when we stop pitting one group of people against another.

May the Lord guide us, protect us, and empower us to do the next right thing. Amen.