abortion effects

One thing I know to be true is that abortion does nothing good for anyone. You may want to refute this fact but I would tell you that, from what I've seen (and I've seen plenty...), I believe you are wrong. Abortion negatively impacts and affects the baby, the mother, the father, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, potential classmates and friends, the local community, the world at large. It devastates lives spiritually, psychologically, emotionally and physically in many, many ways.

I consider myself a bit of an expert on this topic because of what I've heard from my clients at the center. Granted, most of my expertise is based on anecdotal evidence, but, trust me, it's sufficient. When one has heard the same things over and over again, the truth emerges. Over the years, I've talked with thousands of women who have had abortions. Only a tiny few (I can count them on one hand) have ever told me they were fine and stuck with their story upon my querying them further. I've always suspected that they built a wall so thick between themselves and their emotions that they could talk themselves into feeling fine. I believe, down the road, something will be triggered and they will realize they aren't fine. Most will present with "I'm fine" but the minute I ask a simple question like "How did that experience go for you?", they burst into tears or they tell me they will never really get over it or they will never do it again. That's not "fine" in my estimation. Women are walking around, years and years later, still wounded by what they did (and what was done to them...not all freely choose this action; many times they were coerced by a "loved one".)I was speaking with a woman the other day who had had an abortion 20 years ago. It was the only child she ever would have had. Blessedly, she said, she found Rachel's Vineyard and a way to work on being healed from this terrible wound at the core of her soul but she still thinks about what she did...A young man, about 30, came to meet with me about selling office supplies to me for the center. After we were done meeting, he asked what it was we do there. He was a tall, very large black man. I stood as straight as I could next to him, ready for a negative response from him, when I replied, "We help women decide not to have abortions." Guess what? He, all 250+ pounds of him, crumpled before me and started to cry, saying, "Ten years ago, my then girl friend had an abortion without my knowing it." He thanked me for the work we do. From that exchange, I learned that fathers of aborted babies can have terrible pain, too. It goes on and on...and I could certainly tell you more but you get the picture: abortion does nothing good for anyone.

our talents and blessings

Before doing this work, I never really considered the importance of all of our talents to the world. I just kind of did my thing with little thought of the broader picture. Now, I understand that every single one of us, barring none, comes to the world with special gifts, given to us by God, unique to ourselves. These gifts are meant to be shared. I am a professional church musician and many times people will approach me, saying they wish they could play like I do. After I thank them, I always respond with a soft, "and what are your special talents that you share?" or, if I know the person, I say something like, "Oh, but look what you get to share!" and then go on to list the special gifts they have that I see in them. It doesn't really matter if our talent is showy (like my musical ability) or simple. What matters is we share with others what God has given us. (Most likely, a case could be made, for the sake of humility, the less showy the better...) Whenever I hear that an abortion has been done, I immediately get sad. The world becomes a much bleaker place because now the world will never get to experience the unique talents of the precious child of God whose life was ended, just weeks after he or she was conceived. This thought always gives me renewed resolve to continue to fight for the lives of these dear little people for they truly are God's blessings to all of us.

Welcome to my blog!

Two people in this world call me Nana. Four call me Mom, Mother or Mama, depending on the day. Most just call me Joanne. You may call me Joanne. I am not fussy...just don't call me late to dinner, as the old joke goes! I was never fond of my name until recently when I figured out that, within "Joanne", there are vestiges/derivatives of several saints' names: St. Joachim, the father of Mary; St. Anne, the mother of Mary; St. Joan of Arc, St. Joseph...All in all, a very noteworthy part of the list of the who's who in the heavenly realm! And, trust me, I call upon them often to pray for me and to advocate for my work.

I hope you will enjoy my musings. Actually, I hope to impart thought-provoking words or words that tickle your funny bone, with a grain of poignancy thrown in at times. I will now officially begin...

I am the director of a very busy pro-life pregnancy resource center. I've done this work for 12 years. When I first started, I entered the center each day, armed with a list of things to do that day. I soon learned it was fruitless to have a list because none of the things ever got done and I'd walk out of the center, clutching my undone list and throw it in the garbage can outside our door. I concluded that the only way to approach this work was with a servant attitude, ready to react to our clients and their needs, for they were many (both clients and their needs!). Paper work and administrative things could wait. People come first. And, over the years, I have learned much, much more!