Giver of Life

       Got a call for a prayer request today for a young woman, recently married, who is 5 weeks pregnant and having severe pains.  Of course that is never good when you are expecting.  In the last several months, we have known several women who are expecting who were in the same situation.  Their pregnancies were in jeparody. 

         My own daughter has been in that situation twice now.  It is a fearful thing to have to be on bedrest….trying to buy more time for the child in the womb…just to get them to a safe time in the pregnancy to be born.   God is the giver of life…and he is the protector of life.  We dont know the mind of God regarding these things.  But, it is a miracle that from the time that the mother is aware of the life inside her…she has the ability to bond with that child; sight unseen.   Why are some children conceived and are miscarried or lost shortly after birth?  I don’t know.  Why are some people allowed to carrying a child to term only to abandon it or abuse it?  I don’t know.  Why is it that some people who desperately want a child are denied the opportunity due to infertility issues?  I don’t know.  Why are so many babies lost to abortion?  I don’t know.  Why are some children unwanted?  I don’t know. 

         I have pondered the mysteries of such issues when my husband and I lost two pregnancies ourselves.  Those are questions that we just don’t know the answers to at this time.   All I know is that God loves us and wants the best for us.  I pray for this young woman and her child…I know the fear and anxiety.  I also know that she wants to bring this child into the world.   Let’s hope that she gets to greet this child at his/her moment of birth and is able to give thanks to the giver of life!

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Dancing W/The Stars Maurice Greene is A Good Sport

          Maurice Greene was this week’s celebrity to leave dancing with the stars.  Maurice Greene was paired with Cheryl Burke.  They danced well together this week…it looked smooth and they received the same scores as Cody Linley and his partner Edyta by the judges.  However, fan base was much higher for Cody who’s fans number quite high because of his high profile on the show Hannah Montanna. 

          However, Maurice was a good sport…but, I am sure that he learned that young himself being in sports.  Maurice knows you don’t win every sport event and you just learn to take away the positives and learn from the negatives.  He was a true gentleman.

          This week’s results show was a little different.  I really and truely enjoyed Julianne and brother Dereck’s dance number together.  It was high energy and very entertaining.  What is even more amazing is that Julianne just had her appendix taken out two weeks ago because it was discovered that she had endometriosis.  That is a very painful condition where the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus and starts to cover internal organs and can actually cause infertility issues down the road. 

           Julianne’s performance was nothing short of a miracle.  Anyone who has ever had abdominal surgery knows that it takes time to heal.  Obviously, she didn’t just start learning and performing the routine with her brother yesterday…she had to have been practicing during that two weeks.  Wow!  Totally inspirational.

           What wasn’t so inspirational on the results show was the tip toe through the tulips of counseling( w/Dr. Drew) with the professional dancers and their celebrity partner’s relationships.  I didn’t enjoy that…except for the sliver of the session between Julianne and Cody (they have been unable to perform on the show due to her surgery for the last week or two-Edyta filled in for Julianne in a very professional way).  Cody really communicated his respect and caring for Julianne and she was visibly moved to tears as well.  I don’t think that the viewers of the entertainment show really needed to see the dancing couples deal with the issues involved on an emotional level that should have been kept private between the individuals–and a counselor if that was needed…not broadcast for the whole world to see.  It was a bit too tabloid talkish for me.

           Also please, can we get a new co-host for Tom for next season of dancing with the stars?  Samantha Harris is way too awckward in her interview skills. This creates uncomfortable situations for both the dancing teams as well as the viewers…it just takes away from the show.  She just tries too hard or something but there is always some major social goof…it has come to be painful to watch.  Such as her comment this week to teen Cody, “Did you ever think that you would be dancing on live television with a naked or half naked woman?”  Is this appropriate for a show that young children are watching?  Please, powers that be…bring on a new co-host for Tom. 

          

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Obsession With What Lies Within

      Once again the news has been covering a recent trend of crimes regarding an obsession with what lies within; another woman has been found dead after having her baby cut out of her womb.  This scenerio has been happening all too frequently over the last decade or so…women being killed for the babies that they carry inside of their wombs.  It leaves a terrible legacy of emotional difficulties for family and friends not to mention the child; if it miraculously survives the amateur delivery.

          In many of the cases, the women who do the killing have had an obsession with having a baby or being pregnant; often they have tricked those closest to them into believing they are pregnant and about to deliver.  Then, after they have stolen an infant, they try to pass it off as their own birth child. 

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The Adoption Option

       Raising children is one of the most important things a person can do.  It not only impacts a family; it impacts communities, businesses, organizations and individuals.  Raising children well; it is an art form.  In our world today, there are many things pulling at a family unit trying to divide it and conquor it.  It’s become the norm to expect families to break up; it is almost extra-ordinary to see a family survive all that life throws at it.

       There are those around us who struggle in ways that we cannot see.  There are stresses that are normal; and then, there are those which have the ability to wreak havoc on our inter-personal relationships. 

        Un-expected pregnancies are one such stressor.  Un-planned pregnancies, no matter the age or marital status of the parents, can overload those involved; due to financial pressures, health issues, as well as, the emotional well-being of the parents. 

        Making a choice to become a parent is an important step; whether you become a parent biologically, or through the adoption process.  Each life that is conceived is precious and full of promise.  A pregnancy should be cause for celebration; however, sometimes circumstances can complicate the miracle of life.  Those type of situations are when the adoption option becomes a lifeline for those affected.

         Organizations such as Bethany Christian Services are just, such a lifeline.  Of course, they offer more than just adoption services; there is counseling, foster care, estate planning, pregnancy counseling, post adoption care, orphan care, infertility ministry and embryo services.  They are all about building, healing, and restoring families here in the United States and around the world.

        If your heart if full of blessings…or if you have a need…go to this link and check them out.  If your heart has been burdened by the complications of life; and, you have been touched by something greater than yourself…can you find a way to give back?  Support Bethany Christian Services either through a financial donation or maybe just by volunteering your time.  Check them out here:  www.bethany.org.  

          Do you see the suffering of those all around the world and feel helpless to do anything about it?  Those who are lonely, without the basic necessities of life, poor, starving, homeless or just without someone to love them; they need help.   Many of us do see the conditions of the world and suffer a sense of guilt at our own good fortune.  Do you feel something within your heart calling you to make a difference?  We all do…don’t turn off that sensitivity to the hurts in the world.  You can make an impact!

          Maybe you already have the gift of making an impact; but, you wish to find ways of increasing that skill…may i suggest a book that will open windows into the system or skill set that will broaden your abilities to impact the world in a positive way?  It was written by Ken McArthur…a man who has felt the need from childhood to impact the world in a positive way.    The world is a big place with lots of needs.   You have a lot to offer, even if you don’t think that you do.  Find out what it is that you were created to do and be.  Read the book, make a commitment to channel positive energy into some kind of a lasting legacy…and make it happen!

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