Sanctity of Human Life

All my life I grew up in church.  Growing up in a Christian home, I was taught the sanctity of Human Life.  I remember my mother’s own story.  She was given the option, to make a choice; to terminate the life of what they thought would be a downs baby.  They went through how hard it would be to take care of a child of special needs…(guess what guys, my brother is normal than ever, most of the time).

Growing up, my mother spent the majority of our childhood years working with special needs children.  I believe that was her calling.  If she hadn’t of had that option, I don’t think her story would have ever stood out to me, and she would not have taken the career to care of those children.  In 1985, myself, as well as thousands of other Jennifer(s) were born. This same number was the number of abortions that year.  Sanctity of Human Life has touched my mother’s life as well as my own.

My story is unique and from a different approach.  I believe that life begins and ends with a heartbeat.  Each life is a miracle that God grants every day.  For the past five years of our marriage, Robby and I prayed for a family of our own.  We knew God had his timing.  As we got older and the yars went by, we struggled with patience with God.  I went through tests, fertility treatments, surgeries, to find out  I was faced with infertility.  I was angry, hurt, dealt with depression, and wondered why?! What did I do to deserve this? God put women on earth to bear children.  I was lost and confused.

In Genesis 21, Sara also dealt with infertility as well as Hannah in 1 Samuel 1.  The fertility specialist told us about different options.  Some were more tests, medicines, invasive surgeries, and then having to choose to terminate any unhealthy embryos.  We had a 5% chance.  Robby and I prayed and decided to make the choice to wait.

Around this time, our pastor preached on prayer.  He stated that we were to pray that the desires of our hearts were to be what God’s desires are.  We prayed for Comfort (Isaiah 40), Strength (Isaiah 41); that we do not fear or have doubt (Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 3:6), (Philippians 4), Peace that passes all understanding; joy with God’s decisions (Romans 12:12), and to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that others may see God through me.  Before, when I prayed, I was praying the wrong way.  I was selfish.  I then decided the desire was for Robby and I to be parents.

We researched foster care, adoption, and weighted out the options.  Then one day, a young, single mom came to me and asked for help.  Two girls were in a very difficult situation, and they had not stability in their life. After months of preparation, litigation, assistance and prayer from our family, friends, and church, Robby and I are able to give the love and attention to these girls in a Christian home full time as of this past week.

The sanctity of human life or “sacred” means, “ultimate importance.”  Each life is sacred/important, from day one to day infinity.  Each heartbeat, rather it be your own, an unborn child, or an elderly man you see on the street is important.  God’s ultimate sacrifice was when his son, Jesus, came into the world and died for our sins, so that we may live eternally through him.  The sanctity of life, heartbeat to heartbeat.

Anyone who is struggling with infertility, I pray this prayer for you:

1. Peace that passes all understanding.
2. Joy in the outcomes.
3. Faith that God’s will be done.