December 7: a story of life

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.*

Today I visited a friend in hospital. While I was in the reception waiting for my coffee I noticed a neonatal care fund raiser box, I couldn't help but smile and frown at the same time. you know that face you make when you're worried and concerned but also appreciate what is before you already and see it as beautiful. ok, I was only looking at a doll in a see-through neonatal box... but i could imagine, and I could feel just how precious and fragile new life is.

There are some things in this world that really confuse me. Some might get really upset by what I say next (please keep reading to the end) but to me I see it as an inconsistency. How can we have so much love and attention and money and energy spent on the precious life of a neonatal baby, while in other places unborn babies are aborted. Is new life precious only if it is wanted?

Melissa Ohden: Aborted at Birth**

I watched this true story the other week and was really moved. life and forgiveness coming from an unexpected place. and being valued and appreciated, not because of what the "woman" wanted. what about the woman who became? she believes she was made and saved for something great. Many could have left her for dead, but God didn't allow that.

Her story has made me wrestle with what life is, with the way my decisions affect others, how my convenience might actually be damaging to another. Melissa has amazingly come to know through this experience just how much she is loved by the Creator, who chose to become a baby and lose his life to give it. It is no longer her will for life that matters, as life doesn't belong to us, it's a gift.

We all get chances. What will we do with them? Will we turn around and say thank you? Will we even notice that the chance wasn't created by us, but allowed by a merciful God. He values and loves everyone, all life is precious. However small or neglected by others, we aren't meant to see things from our perspective or compare ourselves by each other, Rather, the mark we are to compare ourselves to is the Perfect God. Who bountifully gives us all life, and breath, who has numbered our days, who knows how many hairs we have on our head, who blesses those who seek and ask Him.

In my mind and heart, the neonatal baby is precious and so is the baby who survives abortion. How much we want them, doesn't change who they are. God chose to allow Melissa to live, to help her to forgive. God redeemed her, saved her. We can forgive one another, and all be forgiven by God. God waits for a reply, he lovingly sends out letters sharing forgiveness and gives new life. What has he given life for? He gave us His life for us? Have we done the best we could with what we have been given?

(let me know what you think in the comments)

*Galatians 2:20
**(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdm-i62hRdc) also, watch Gianna Jessen's story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5YlJ9CZ9fI