Earlier this week, a man named James Jay Lee stormed into the Discovery Channel building in Silver Spring MD, and held three people hostage for four hours before he was shot and killed by a police officer. (The gunman was seen holding a gun to one of the hostages.) Any hostage situation is tragic, but a stunning fact was revealed about this man. He has extreme views regarding children, so-called overpopulation, and the environment. Here is some text from his manifesto, as reported on foxnews.com:
“All programs on Discovery Health-TLC must stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants and the false heroics behind those actions,” the list of demands read.
“In those programs’ places, programs encouraging human sterilization and infertility must be pushed. All former pro-birth programs must now push in the direction of stopping human birth, not encouraging it.”
Many people have responded with outrage…and rightly so! To think that our own children would be viewed as “parasites” is beyond insulting…it is barbaric.
But here is something we need to face. This man’s views are not unique! Many individuals and “health organizations” share his opinion. Oh, they may not be so bold as to use the words “parasitic infants” but there are many who believe that there are simply too many people on the planet, and that current birth rates are a threat to sustainability. Just check out the United Nations Population Fund website. The focus on reducing birth rates in developing countries is shocking to me. Human beings are the greatest natural resource! Not the problem, but the solution! People build roads and hospitals, develop medicine and teach in schools…gray bats, jaguars, and black-footed ferrets don’t!
Now, to clarify…I don’t believe we should trash the environment. It is God’s creation. It is beautiful, and we are called to be wise stewards. I also don’t believe unmarried people should be intentionally having big families…but I am ok with married couples having big families!!
God is Sovereign!! He knows every child conceived! He knows how much food and water is needed. It’s all on this earth. We just, as a human race in general and as Christians in particular, need to share more and be wiser about how we do that. Hmmm, that takes effort and compassion and sacrifice…those things Christ called us to do. He said to feed the hungry, not get rid of them!
The bottom line is this: How do we view children? As blessings from God? Or as “parasites”, “burdens”, “punishments”, etc.?
I choose to believe they are blessings! Gabriel was…and is. Thanks be to God!
Many people have heard the phrase “God works in strange and mysterious ways.” I don’t say it often, but it sure seemed right this week!
I have a new volunteer…a guy with a knack for video taping and editing. He produced a Walk for Life promotional DVD for Women’s Care Clinic. Oh my goodness! It’s fantastic! There is a two minute, and a four minute version. I encourage people to sign up, tell them it’s for mothers and babies…it’s a fun video.
But something amazing happened last weekend. One of the area churches showed the video, and afterward, a woman stood up to speak. In a nutshell, she shared that she had an abortion more than 25 year ago, and had never told anyone! She has regretted it, and knows God has forgiven her. She has plans to become a nurse, and hopes one day to work at WCC so she can help other women turn away from abortion and choose life!
Isn’t that amazing? A DVD, meant for a fund raiser, became the catalyst for a post-abortive woman to share her heart! Who knew this little tool would inspire so much?
Well, that’s easy. God knew. I am sure He is smiling even more than we are!!
Today, my dad would be 72 years old if he were still living on this earth. He has been gone 5 years, and I still miss him. I often picture him with my little boy in heaven. Or perhaps swapping stories with Bruce’s dad, since they did not meet this side of eternity. Hmmmm
One thing is for sure…I always knew my dad loved me! I grew up singing with him at church, family gatherings, even Camp Fire Girl events. I remember the smell of Folgers coffee each morning when he was home…and phone calls in the evenings when he was on the road. He taught me how to play cribbage, and the right way to make a seriously good sandwich. I watched him create many beautiful woodworking projects, and always knew to keep some distance because he became very verbal when things didn’t go well! He was rough around the edges, but with an incredibly tender heart.
Yesterday was Father’s Day, for my dear hubby along with millions of other father’s across the country. I let him pick out his gift in advance…new golf clubs…because I know nothing about them! He went golfing on Saturday with 2 of his brothers. I don’t think I am allowed to post their scores online! heehee! I carried the golf theme into the hand-crafted card I made for him, and I even watched some of the US Open tournament on TV, as he sat with cool towels draped over his sunburned legs.
Bruce and I have always celebrated Father’s & Mother’s Day throughout the years. We remember our precious little baby (who would be 16 this October!). Gabriel was, and is, a gift to us. God gave him to us, even if for just a short time, because our desire to be parents was so strong. Gabriel came into existence because of love…covenant love. That kind of love does not go away.
So, to all of the Dads out there…whether your children are still alive running around the house making a mess or waiting for you in heaven…Happy Father’s Day!!
Lots of time has passed, and if this site was the only indication, you might think I wasn’t busy. Instead, my work at Women’s Care Clinic has been keeping me very busy on the home-front, so I had not pursued any outside speaking opportunities. Our client numbers are up, we added a staff position, fund raisers were successful, and we are actually praying for a newer and larger facility! Wow!!
It is because of this growth that I am even more excited to “get out there!” So, it is my prayer that my message of hope will reach another community. Time to pound the pavement again!
In the meantime, I am preparing for the next Walk for Life and, for fun, I am playing with my new Stampin ‘ Up supplies! Life is Good!!
Last month, I spoke at a local funeral home for the national Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day. As you can imagine, it was an emotional evening. Families from all walks of life came together to share in their grief…something I can relate too. But the beauty of the event was really in taking time to acknowledge the impact our children (or siblings, or grandkids) had on our lives. No matter how short or how long a person lives on this earth, every life touches someone. Gabriel taught me that 15 years ago.
My dear hubby and I are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with my mom. Talk about a life touching others! My mom is the BEST!! Her steadfast love (along with my dad, who has passed away) influenced me in so many ways. So, this Thanksgiving, I am saying “Thank you God for my parents!” May this season be a time for all families to treasure each other!
Earlier this week I met a woman who is participating in our local Walk for Life for Women’s Care Clinic. She is literally going door to door for pledges! I remember doing that year’s ago with my siblings…raising money for MDA. Then there were the years of selling Camp Fire Girl candy! Going door to door seemed so natural and fun and easy.
Now as a society, we are scared…and with many good reasons. Even as adults we need to be more careful about where we go in our communities. Nonetheless, I gotta admit, I am so moved by this woman’s courage! She isn’t being careless…she is discerning which neighborhoods to approach. But her belief in the dignity of life and the need to actively protect it is a beautiful thing.
Oh, that we would all have such courage! How different the world could be! Guess there’s no time like the present to muster up some extra boldness and head out to proclaim Life is Precious!!
Anyone who knows me well realizes how much I enjoy sharing my prolife mission any chance I get! They also know that I cannot get through a day without at least a half dozen references to ink, card stock and ribbon! My hobby of stamping cards fits well here at my “real” job at Women’s Care Clinic. I have made baby cards, thank you cards for volunteers, and so much more. My office is even decorated with Stampin’ Up “Definitely Decorative” items and wall art featuring sage shadow and chocolate chip colors! Yesterday I had a great conversation with another stamper who serves on the board for a new pregnancy ministry. How fun to share our love for life and creativity!!
Someone once told me that he believes we image God most when we are creative…whether it is birthday cards, a flower garden, or a home improvement project. God is creative, so we, being made in His likeness, are creative too.
I hope to create something pretty today after work. And I think my hubby is going to create something yummy for dinner! Hope you find the creative side of yourself today, too!
It has been quite a while since I last posted. A friend of mine recently told me that blogs are a lot of work…so true!
Today is sunny, warm, and gorgeous! I love when God reveals Himself through His creation! …And I am glad to have a window office!
Recently I attended the Heartbeat International conference in Richmond Virginia. I loved seeing many of my colleagues again…most whom I only see at these events. How refreshing to know there are others who continue in this fight to preserve human life, despite the numerous obstacles. We were all able to share, to learn, to pray together…what a blessing!!
Now I am ready to move forward for the cause…are you?
The sun is shining, but I am still cold. I am SO ready for spring! I have lived in Illinois my entire life, but I don’t think I will ever get used to winter here! Brrrrrrr!! I’m anxious to pull out my scooter wheelchair and cruise the sidewalks of Danville! I want to sit on my back porch…and I can’t wait to pick out flowers to plant. I often say “Hurry up!” to springtime!
I go through this every year. Usually February is a downer month for me…cold weather, snow…I get cabin fever pretty bad. But this February was quite different for me, with 3 speaking events! Wow! Kinda wild how they clustered up like that, but what a blessing! I spoke to a youth group in Champaign County about the value of chastity and marriage. Later in the month, I spoke to a group of mostly college students at the Prayer Vigil Kick-Off for the 40 Days for Life Campaign in Champaign. I cannot tell you how encouraging it was to meet young women and men who want to pray and fast for an end to abortion! I pointed out to them that they are actually “survivors” since their mothers could have legally aborted them. That is actually why many young adults are pro-life these days…they realize how fortunate they are! I can’t wait to see what an impact these young people will have on our future!!
I ended the month speaking at the Women’s Day of Recollection in Peoria. What a blessed day!! Prayer, fellowship…an amazing lunch (Yum!)…and the opportunity to share my story and my heart regarding the Dignity of Women. I was exhausted wheen I returned home! Bruce picked up some Monicals pizza…we ate while watching a movie…then I fell asleep on his lap! I kid you not…I was “out” by 8:00 pm!!
So March is upon us, and I am just waiting for the warm weather to arrive! Well, not just that…there is a fund raising banquet to plan for April, a newsletter to write…and plenty of stamping projects to keep my hands busy!!
More than that, I hope to have some quiet time…quality quiet time…with God. Being busy is good to an extent, but I pray for balance in my life more than ever before! If you are like me…anxious for spring and all that comes with it…don’t get too carried away. As my dear friend Claire says, “We should stop wishing for another day and treasure the one God gave us right now!” Great advice, Claire!
……….You think I could incorporate that into a card??
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