A Dreadful Anniversary

This is the thirty-sixth anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade decision. I was a senior in a Catholic high school when this decision came down. We had been so sure that God would never allow such a heinous decision. I think it was my first taste of "legislating from the bench," the now-common practice of *creating* laws through judicial decisions.

I also think it's strange that Justice Blackmun (who wrote the decision) used the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause, in forming his opinion. This is the same amendment that Congress used to legislatively overturn the Dred Scott decision [saying that blacks, American Indians, and other "foreigners" were not citizens (read: "humans") and therefore not eligible for rights under the law.]

As the years went by, we wrote letters, marched, prayed. I was a counselor in a crisis pregnancy center for a few years. (There were no such places when I got pregnant at nineteen. I went to the Planned Parenthood place for a free pregnancy test. The woman asked my first name, and then asked, "are you planning to terminate this pregnancy?" I was shocked. I answered, "I don't even know yet if I'm pregnant!" She asked again, "if you are pregnant, are you planning to terminate?" GOD BLESS THE CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS. ) And, most of us were very sure we would not still be fighting this fight in 2009.

Now we have a president who, by all appearances, is not friendly to pre-born life. He has already pledged to fight for legislation to strengthen abortion "rights." He will, in all likelihood, be appointing one or more Supreme Court justices, as well as other federal judges. Things don't look very positive, looking from an earthly perspective.

So, we still pray. And, we fight for each baby, one mother at a time. We tear down the brick wall she thinks gives her no choice. We line those bricks up in a line--anybody can step over one brick at a time. We pray for God to send a revival--if God changes hearts, the need for even discussing this issue will be greatly diminished.

Lord, have mercy on us for this abomination. Forgive me for considering, even for a few hours, this awful thing. Thank you that you let my boyfriend (Charming) and me see it for what it was, and bring that baby to term (that's Violet!) Let the women who have made this agonizing decision find forgiveness and healing. Lord, heal our nation.