Quality or Quantity? Part I

Today in my Spanish class, of all places, I got to thinking about what the pro-life stance is for quality of life. We read a drama about two former lovers who meet years later, in their elderly years, and as we discussed the themes in the short play, my spanish professor asked us: Is it more important [to us] to have a longer life or a better quality of life? At first, the question seemed easy. When she spoke of domestic life, and wanting to be able to have a sound mind, be able to dress and feed yourself, it is easy to say that you would rather die than continue living what appears to be a "low-quality" life. But as a pro-lifer, I don't think that is an easy answer to give. Somehow, that answer has come to be commonplace and respected among us when referring to a comfortable retiree. But let's take a moment, think through this philosophy, and see if it is sound.
What about a severely disabled person who is not able to communicate, to dress themselves or cook their own food. Does that mean their quality of life is less? Of course not! What about infants? Is their quality of life less because they are unable to dress themselves, to feed themselves, and for a while, transport themselves, or even walk? Of course not!
Ah. So when we think this through, we cannot in go conscience, say that life is only worth living with the way WE might define quality. This is no longer a suitable answer.

That is all I have time for at the moment, but I want to continue blogging my thoughts on how we can approach defining "quality of life", talking a little bit about what "quantity of life" may mean and excamining that position, and seeing where pro-lifers and/or Christians should stand.

Father, we know You are sovereign over all the earth, and over all our lives. Yet we live in such a fragile, broken, unjust mess of a world. Remind us that You have indeed overcome this world, that the victory IS ALREADY yours, Jesus! We pray Your kingdom come swiftly, LORD Jesus, and reign both in us and on this earth. We also acknowledge the mercy delivered so lovingly from Your very hand, mercy that is giving us time to repent and turn towards You, the One who loves us and knows us so intimately. Grant Your people peace and the fire of justice burning in their hearts. Help us love You and ALL others well, through and by Your grace. Amen.

Bethany Dillon "The Kingdom"

"Why are some women barren
While the wicked's house is full
The stories never seem to end
Give me evidence I'm not alone
You said the weak would be lifted up
But maybe just not yet
So while I wait in this flesh and blood
I'll learn to lean in

Help me see the light
I'm reaching through the fight
Yahweh, show me the Kingdom
Arms open wide
Death swallowed up by life
Yahweh, show me the Kingdom"
- "The Kingdom"

Starfield "Reign In Us"

"Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come
That you would reign, that you would reign in us
We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice
That you would reign, that you would reign in us"
-Reign In Us

Dear Mr. President,

In reference to your latest video, supporting Planned Parenthood and its supporters (see link below), I would respectfully state that abortion is not women's health care. I fully support women's health care, and health care by definition is care that favors the ultimate healthfulness and well-being of all women. Mr. President, let me ask you a question. If someone is no longer alive, they are dead. If they are dead, can we provide them with adequate health care? Of course not. I would like to know how abortion, a procedure that ends the life of a unique and living human being, a potential future woman, favors the ultimate healthfulness and well-being of that woman. How is murdering someone health care?
I would appreciate it if you used the term women's health care correctly. Also, being "for families" means being for people. Being for people means respecting their innate humanity. And since babies in the womb are also innately human, I ask that you extend your definition to include them, too.

Sincerely,
Abby


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=naP2FbO8_-c

Full Heart

I know it has been a while. There has been a lot on my heart of late, but I haven't made the time to write about it. I think it is time to share a little bit. I have been thinking a lot about where I come from: the influences and people who have shaped my life, the bits of my past that, though now closed volumes, still are a piece of who I am this moment, this second. I am proud of my heritage. There was a point in time when I thought that just because I didn't know anything about my heritage, it was not significant or even cool. And just the smallest glimpse into who my family is and where they come from has been reassuring, grounding for me. I enjoyed hearing my grandpa talk about my family coming over from Europe to the U.S. and settling in Ohio. I have loved poring over a great-aunt's bridal book; seeking to understand a little more about the family from which I come out of.
I have also been revisiting my past in other ways. Visiting old friends while I have been home has been part of that. I have come to see the strong women who have always been a part of my landscape, and this helps me understand why I am the kind of woman I am. More than I recognized, I have been surrounded and influenced by many strong, intelligent women. By many women leaders as well, who have each shaped the young woman I am today. I am proud of this heritage, and especially proud that this has most often been modeled for me in a community of faith. I want any future daughters of mine to be strong, yet gentle, and intelligent, yet humble women.
Being home has opened a lot in my heart. Love is disarming, and coming home fills my heart to overflowing with love and gratitude. I love southwest Ohio. I don't think I have always, but there is a comfort to the lay of the land, the various communities I am familiar with, the scenery, the people, the localities. I love coming home and knowing where to drive, the familiarity is comforting and welcoming in and of itself.
More than the area, however, the people have grabbed my heart. My life is pleasantly entangled with my family's when I am home. The simple fact of not knowing where all my socks are makes my heart happy. My life so effortlessly ebbs and flows into theirs. I miss that. I cherish those times, and as hokey as it might sound, I really like family life. I miss the rhythm that we have and most of all, coming home to a full house at the end of the day. Even with the bestestest roomie a girl could ever ask for :) , I miss fulfilling that role in a family.
I returned to my high school tonight and saw a drama production. The last time I was at a drama event for my high school, I was in it. It was a great show, and it so blesses my heart to see people I love, all grown up, singing and dancing and acting and having fun. Drama was a family for me in high school, and it is like a family reunion to even attend a show. I felt so full after the performance, from the sheer joy and pleasure of live theater and the visual and musical arts. Getting like a bajillion hugs in the receiving line and being able to behold the beautiful people who have been so dear to me in the past few years was just enough to fill my heart to overflowing. I left feeling loved, and knowing that I had also gotten to give out love and encouragement tonight by my presence.
It is nights like this that I feel so filled, so alive with love. Love disarms my fears, diffuses my independent and isolationist tendencies, and motivates me to breathe in deeply. Something about driving home in the beautiful Ohio night, reflecting on the beauty of the people who I will never stop loving, the feeling of extended family, and the close friends and family members whose time I delight in when home was just wonderful. And of course, now, I am unable to sleep. So I wrote this blog. Sometimes you just gotta have a heart-filled-to-overflowing kinda blog. After midnight. When the rest of the house is still in various states of slumber.
And if you are reading this? I probably love you very much, and you are included in the beautiful people who make my heart happy and remind me of how deeply and fully blessed I am and have been.

Growing Pains

Just as the flower grows in the early spring, its tender buds pushing through the thawing earth,
so growing pains are good- but feel a little like pushing through the frozen ground.

Please Read...

In the past I have featured some links to blog posts by one of my favorite pro-life leaders, Bryan Kemper. I appreciate Bryan's commitment to truth and his love for Christ, and I see how that colors his ministry and his message.

This particular post was so timely for me. It has been in the past few weeks on so many levels that I have found myself frustrated with the apathy, isolation, and selfishness within me and around me. And I just cannot justify it when it comes to spreading truth. Thank you, Bryan, for some hard-hitting and truthful words this Thursday.

The Other Invisible Children: Bryan Kemper

Burden of Leadership

There is a burden to leadership: the burden of your heart breaking for the people you serve. When God opens your eyes to the brokenness and hurting not only within your own heart, but among that of others. And when your heart breaks for the apathy of your people, your generation, your campus... when you want to be an Old Testament prophet, tearing your garments in grief and crying out to God on behalf of the sins of the nations. When you long for God's Spirit to move and convict, change lives, heal, and wake up from sleep.

"If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it." Mark 8:35

"And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. " Ezekiel 36:26