Working towards life

As a Christian, a woman, a mother and a wife I am constantly challenged to stand up for the life of the unborn.  I have many thoughts on abortion, politics, God's perspective, etc.  My goal here for your coffee break is to list some practical ways you and your family can contribute to the fight for life!  You don't have to be rich, strong or even all that brave (ask me how I know..) but you do need to fight, and you do need to put one foot in front of the other.  Here are my thoughts and practical ideas.

• Love the children in your life.  Your own children, neighbor children, children in your family, naughty children, orphaned children, children at church, and children in your community.  Loving life means loving children.
• Remind your own children how important children are to God.  Serve the youngest first, always.  In our house we have tried to consistently serve the youngest first in all things.  The best seat for a movie, the biggest treat, served each meal first, etc.
• Serve pregnant women in your church and community.  Make her meals, watch her other children, bring her chocolate...
• March.  I was convicted while thinking about all of the protests I took part in to advocate FOR abortion against the War in Iraq many years ago, but how radio silent I had become when it was time to stand for the unborn.  My children need to know that we not only believe that abortion is a sin and damages not only a child but also a mother and father, but that we are called to do something about it. We are called to speak up for the weak, the defenseless and those without any voice.  We try our hardest to practice what we preach, and we preach Jesus and He preaches life.
• Donate unused or gently used items to your local crisis pregnancy center.  Send them an e-mail or better yet, drop by and ask them what their needs are.  Whenever you are doing your grocery shopping toss a $2 box of rice cereal in your cart!  When you are out shopping for your kids, or see a sale on infant clothing or anything else your local center may need, snatch it up!  I saw $1 onsies at Walmart a while back!
• Hold a yard sale or baby shower to support the pro-life ministry.  Friends of ours had a lot of stuff in their garage and basement, they needed to have a yard sale!  They donated all of their money to the pregnancy care center locally.  Their kids were all up in the mix selling coffee and donuts!  It was a great time and I think people were really blessed.  In the next few weeks I will be holding a "baby shower" at my home, pictures to come!  We got a list of needs from our pro-life center here in town and ladies are all going to come and donate items and celebrate life together! 

• Educate yourself.  Force yourself to watch hard things if you are unsure about the horrors of abortion.  Say hard things to those in your life who may not know the truth about abortion.  Learn about the groups that are working day and night to protect these small children, locally first.  Learn which groups are refusing to spread the gospel as they march towards life.  Life and healing comes first from Jesus, without him there is no life, there is no truth and there is absolutely NO healing.  God sent us a counselor, the Holy Spirit.  He wants to give us truth and love and comfort.  

What are your ideas?  What does your family do to stand up for life?  What have you done to support your local pro-life ministries?

If you are wondering what my thoughts are on abortion, this is a really good blog post. Toby explains my thoughts and feelings a lot better than I can!