January 22, 2002, marks the 29th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the US Supreme Court decision that imposed abortion-on-demand throughout pregnancy on America. Here we are, nearly three decades later, and abortion is still the law of the land. Every day, nearly 4,000 unborn babies are sacrificed on the altar of “choice.” That’s more than all of the victims of September 11. Since 1973, over 40 million babies have been killed.
It’s hard to put 40 million lives into perspective, so let’s look at it this way. According to the US Census Bureau, the number of people killed by America’s liberal abortion laws would equal wiping out the entire population of the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina and Nebraska. Could we possibly fathom the impact on our nation and society if anthrax or some other terrorist attack had killed all of these people? Abortion has, in stealth-like fashion, robbed our nation of as many American citizens.
Imagine the toll abortion has had on our society. Picture in your mind the missing brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, coworkers or neighbors. For a moment, contemplate the lost teachers, doctors, engineers, sales clerks, laborers, scientists and airline pilots.
How many times have would-be mothers missed the sound of laughter of their toddler in a sandbox, dandelion bouquets, crayon drawings or the words, “I love you mommy!”? Consider all the dads who daily struggle with that huge empty place in their souls. They will never watch their child take those first steps, teach a son how to fish or walk their daughter down the isle. Millions of these parents know what they are missing and they grieve.
Ponder the acts of kindness that would have been if these people not been violently taken from us. Nobody will be there to assist the 83-year-old woman as she struggles to get her groceries up the steps into her apartment. There will be no sympathetic listener for the neighbor next door who lost her job. Would Good Samaritan rescuers, aborted years ago, have been in the stairwell of the World Trade Center and lowered the death toll? It boggles the imagination to contemplate the magnitude of lost blessings these millions of individuals would have been to us.
Yes, the 29th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade is a time of reflection and mourning. Every living, breathing person in America has been affected in some way by those missing in action.
You may now be asking, “What’s the use?” Why are we investing all this time, energy and resources into the pro-life movement when, after nearly three decades, abortion is still the law of the land? Shouldn’t we crawl under our bed, curl up into the fetal position and wait for the Lord to return?
At times it is helpful to remember that it also took the abolitionists decades to reverse a tragic US Supreme Court pronouncement. In 1857 the Dred Scott decision declared that Negroes were mere property of the white man. That decision didn’t stand and neither will Roe as long as there are compassionate, determined people to bring about change.
Consider our nation’s reaction to this cruel edict of seven black-robed justices. America has responded with compassion and action. There are an estimated 3,700 women help centers, operated mostly by volunteers, that will assist mothers and fathers facing an unexpected pregnancy — and their services are free. Grieving parents who have chosen abortion can find an empathetic and nonjudgmental atmosphere in which to begin the road to hope and healing. Millions of lost souls are being ministered to.
There are an equal number of Right to Life chapters, scattered throughout the states, working to educate their communities while striving to pass pro-life legislation and elect pro-life candidates. Many are affiliated with national organizations that have a presence in Washington, DC. A few, like Life Issues Institute, are involved globally to protect unborn babies at home and in far-away countries.
These collective pro-life organizations don’t comprise a “feel-good” movement or a passing fad. They have stood the test of time and, together, are making a difference for life. Slowly but surely the pro-life movement is pulling American society in the direction of protecting innocent human life from womb to tomb. Our efforts are working, and it’s only a matter of time before the abortion industry comes crashing down around its precarious foundation.
Be encouraged! Your contribution, at whatever level, has been a wise and constructive investment. More importantly, you must continue to invest in this life-or-death battle to insure future victory. It’s too late for the 40 million babies who have already succumbed to the abortion industry, but it’s NOT too late for the millions more who are vulnerable to its lethal attack. Their lives depend upon your rededication to the most important humanitarian effort of society today. It’s okay if you pause to reflect and mourn, but never, never, never give up!
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