This weekend, I had the chance to spend some time at a local pregnancy care center, CompassCare. My friend and I were there to go on a tour of their new facilities, and get some information on their annual fundraising event, Walk for Life.
I loved seeing their exam rooms (huge, beautiful, full of light), and hearing about their mission. This is something that is close to my heart, and I am thankful for the people who work and volunteer there, offering life-giving options to women. Yesterday I learned that in Monroe County, about 1 in 5 pregnancies ends in abortion. I realize that women end up making that decision for a host of reasons, but it still breaks my heart to think about those numbers.
As CompassCare’s director spoke to our group, something struck me. In this country, conversations about abortion and unborn children are often filled with judgment, vitriol and political arguments. It has been a long time since I heard grace-filled speech when it comes to issues around abortion. Yet, here was this man standing there unabashedly saying that a pregnancy is not a negative consequence to sexual activity, but an act of grace, and that CompassCare exists to help women make further grace-filled choices. He specifically stated that their focus is not on changing legislation, but on offering assistance to as many women in this area as they can possibly reach, in order to erase the need for abortion services.
I sat there, with tears rolling down my face, listening to those words. I truly wish that every church leader, parent, youth group leader and Sunday School teacher on this planet could have heard the way he spoke. I started out this life as an unplanned pregnancy, and I could tell you about the messages I absorbed about myself along the way growing up in church – let me tell you, they were not all very positive. Do I want my son to grow up knowing right from wrong when it comes to sexual relationships? You bet I do. But I also want him to understand grace, mercy and forgiveness. As he grows into adulthood, I hope he becomes the kind of man who sees all life as a precious gift.
I’m excited about CompassCare’s mission, and I’m looking forward to taking part in the Walk for Life. Most of all, I’m thankful for the grace-filled way that they think about, speak about, and care for women and their babies.
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