The Price of a Life

I really hate writing blogs, not because I hate writing, but I hate the thought of making myself so vulnerable by putting my thoughts out there for all to judge... and so many people do it anyway, who cares what I have to say; but today I feel moved to share. I read a headline moments ago, that said Democrats were claiming that Republicans did not want to compromise on a budget because they did not want women to have cancer screenings...are you kidding me? Obviously the Republican party has its faults, but how am I supposed to believe that the party that is practically synonomous with pro-life actually wants to prevent full grown adults from possibly seeking life saving help? They want to save the unborn before they even resemble an infant, yet they supposedly could care less if a woman dies of breast cancer she was never able to be examined for?
I have always been pro-life, morally and religously...but now, now every ounce of my being aches for the precious lives that we toss out on a daily basis. Holding my 5 month old daughter, I am so amazed (amazed is an understatement) what God created out of seemingly nothing. This time last year, my 13 pound, giggly baby was barely visible to the naked eye; today people can't help but notice her smiling face and I can barely take my eyes off of her.
People are concerned that if the two parties do not reach an agreement on the budget by midnight tonight, that military personnel will not be paid. Since my husband is in the Marine corps, does that make me uncomfortable? Oh, sure. Frantic? No. Throughout my less than stable childhood and young adult life, God has always found some amazing way of meeting mine and my family's needs; let me tell you, he has met some large needs, I don't believe that will stop now. But there are people who don't have that same faith, and I hurt for them. Just putting myself in their shoes makes me remotely aware of the fear they may have for their families. I don't believe their fears should be discounted because they don't have the blessing of assurance that I have; though it is within their reach if they simply ask. It is a cruel game of chicken that our politicians are playing.
But the heart of the matter is this; if the Republicans compromise on the issue of federally funding abortions, many, many more will die. I am not ignorant, I know that federally funded or not, abortions will continue; but what a statement our nation would make if it would stop funding it with taxpayer dollars! And just think maybe some scared young lady somewhere would consider abortion if it were free. But if it were not, her baby would live to smile at her one day to reassure her, that yes, she had made the right decision. She would be overwhelmed with the love she feels for her son or daughter, as he or she gazes at her face with bright adoring eyes. Maybe she would weep because she recalled how recently she had considered aborting this precious baby, but by some act of grace that she cannot explain, her baby's life was spared...and so was she.
Some people simply say, "it is in God's hands" and go on with their day, but they forget as Christians, we are the hands of God. We cannot turn the tv off, fold the paper and pretend that these things are not happening, we absolutely should not. We should weep for what makes Him weep and we should become angered by what angers Him. Knowledge of what is going on in the world, does not make us of this world. Yet so many of us use that as an excuse to not bother with what is going on. Trust me, I know it's not pleasant...but maybe that is why we need to make ourselves aware, so that we never become comfortable with this world, and so that we can uplift the weary in prayer to our Lord.
With intentions of moving once this semester is over, I certainly would not look forward to any hiccup in our cash flows. However if midnight comes, I pray that the Republicans will not buckle under pressure and would stand firm.
There is morally no reason for giving into Democratic demands (and not just concerning federally funded abortion clinics); if moral grounds are not enough for you, then I certainly would not mind debating with you economic and common sense reasons either. But from where I stand, no paycheck is worth the continued disposal of tiny little human beings.