Walking for Life

I recently signed up to participate in a walk-a-thon for an organization that is very dear to my heart, Boro Pregnancy Counseling Center.

After registering, setting up my personalized donation page, and sending out an email to prospective sponsors, I paused and thought of how blessed I am.  First, to be alive, second, to be closely involved with this awesome organization, and third, to know the value of choosing life – personally!

Honestly, we all should realize the value of life, just with the fact that we are here – alive – and given a chance to live this life to the fullest.

Looking back, I remember clearly when the Executive Director came to our church and spoke about Boro Pregnancy Counseling Center.  Sharing their needs to minister to the women and men, facing crisis pregnancies.  Hoping to give them options other than choosing abortion, offering assistance along the way, and being there for them as they continued their journey.

My heart tugged at the words I was hearing.  Knowing I too was a child of an unexpected pregnancy, and could have been the victim of abortion, I knew I wanted to support this organization.  Later, I was invited to one of their fundraising banquets, and was given an opportunity to see more in depth the success of this organization in specific lives.  I became a regular supporter, often praying for this organization, volunteering my time, as well as supporting them financially.

Fast forward a few years, I received a call from the President of Boro Pregnancy Counseling Center, informing me that my name was submitted as a possible member of their Board.  We had a very lengthy conversation, prayed together, and I was left with time to consider this opportunity.

I couldn’t help but recall the day when my mother sat down and told me that “Daddy” wasn’t my biological father.  The history and details are definitely for another time.  All I knew is my mother did choose life.  She did let me grow within her womb, and as scared as she was, gave birth to a daughter.  As a frightened, single mother, she came home with her baby, pulled a dresser drawer out of her bureau, placed it on her bed, laid a blanket inside, and while crying, placed her tiny baby girl inside.  From that moment on, she loved and cared for me, every day following.

I know the abortion issue is extremely controversial.  When is the beginning of life?  Doesn’t the woman have the right to choose whether or not to continue the pregnancy?  Does she have the right to decide whether this baby lives or dies?

I am certain life begins at conception.  I am certain that every baby (not "just a fetus" or "just some tissue"), is clinging to life the minute it is conceived.  I am certain that whether the woman planned for this child, wants this child, or even cares less – this child is still a living person.

Am I certain only because of my faith?  Because I feel this is what God calls me to believe?  That is part of my reasoning.  But, my faith is not a blind faith, and I also look at facts and truth, which show me that life does begin at conception.

• At the moment of fertilization a predetermined sex and the baby’s own unique set of human DNA is present.  It is indisputably human, as it has human DNA.  This DNA will guide the baby’s body’s development over its entire lifetime!

• At 4-6 weeks, despite being only a quarter of an inch long, the nose, mouth, and ears are already taking shape!  The heart is beating about 100 times a minute, and blood is beginning to circulate through her body. Brain waves have been detectable for at least 2-3 weeks already!

• At 7-10 weeks, major body functions are up and running: kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver are all working.  Tiny arms and legs can already start to flex.

• At 12-16 weeks, muscles are beginning to bulk up, the baby is going through a growth spurt.  Soon locks of hair will be on the head and toenails are starting to grow.  Every day, the heart pumps about 25 quarts of blood through the tiny body.

• 18-20 weeks the baby has his own unique set of fingerprints.

• At 6 months, the baby can now respond to external sounds by moving and increasing the pulse.

• At 8 months, the baby can hear and is beginning to recognize her mother’s voice.  Skin is pink and the baby is already beginning to get that cute, chunky appearance that newborns have.

I remember when I was a young married woman, hoping to become pregnant with my first child.  Back then we didn’t have the quick home pregnancy tests, but waited until we missed a cycle and then went for a blood test.  The minute I received that phone call that my test was positive, I was ecstatic!  The only decision my husband and I considered was whether to wait to tell our family and friends, or enjoy this moment just between the two of us for a while.

Not all positive pregnancy tests bring joy or celebrating.  Many women are faced with an unplanned pregnancy, and emotions of fear, anger, panic, etc., cause many to consider whether to continue the pregnancy or abort the baby.

I find it interesting, and a bit disturbing, that when a woman wants to become pregnant, and tries to have a baby, the second she receives a positive result with a pregnancy test, she is carrying a baby, her child.  If she is faced with an unwanted pregnancy, suddenly the same “test” results are showing some matter that she “has the right” to decide whether or not to continue the pregnancy.  The life within a woman’s womb is the same, whether wanted or not.  That doesn’t change.

I know that many may not agree with my stand on choosing life over an abortion.  But I also know that I am alive for a purpose, and wouldn’t have wanted my mother to decide whether I should live or die.  

With that – I am Walking for Life in Boro Pregnancy Counseling Center’s walk-a-thon.  I am excited to take a stand for life, and continue to support this amazing organization that not only speaks for life, but personally stands side by side with the many women who come through our doors when facing a crisis pregnancy.

 

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.  – Psalm 139:13-18