Well, it’s been nearly 48 hours since the end of the voting. Despite perhaps two mornings of grumbling into our coffee, complaining on our blogs and maybe even shedding a tear or two, most of us are looking for the good (and wondering just how long four years will feel). There have been no riots, no bloodshed. Nobody’s packing their bags to move to…uh, where?
I love democracy.
But of course, in the last 48 hours, about 5000 babies have been aborted, and about 5000 women have had their lives changed immeasurably.
Sadly though, had McCain won, that statistic would not have changed. Yes, I believe he could have appointed Justices who could have hastened the demise of Roe v. Wade and thrown these laws back into the states’ jurisdiction. But true results would have been a long time coming.
And given the results of more than a few pro-life ballot questions – utter failure – I am doubting the efficacy of fighting these battles through the courts and legislatures.
Don’t get me wrong: I firmly believe that unborn children should have their rights protected under the law. I am thoroughly convinced that pro-abortion laws have, in effect, given women little choice but to abort. And I know that if FOCA passes, (and it would not have a chance of passage under McCain), there will be virtually no restrictions on abortion, not even for minors who are legally not responsible enough to make any other medical decisions for themselves.
But in the effort to save lives – and I don’t mean just unborn children, and I don’t mean just preserving a body, I’m talking about a whole person, body and soul, and two victims, mother and child – in an effort to save the life of a child and to preserve the dignity, the mental and physical health, and the immortal soul of a woman, I have no confidence in politicians or judges, nor in laws or mandates, nor in marches or protests.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7
I’m not sure of all the things that go through a person’s mind when deciding for whom to vote, but of one thing I am convinced: abortion is not a paramount issue for most voters. And it is that, not any other disagreement with someone’s politics, that gives me a sickening feeling. If the Dems want to raise taxes (and they will, despite the rhetoric), if they want to give all my money away to my neighbors, if they want to try to pacify rogue nations with summits, if they want to re-define the family, and tell me that I’m full of hate because I have strong convictions about morality, and criminalize my expression of this opinion – all this, I can bear.
But the apathy to the unborn? Dear God, have mercy!
The technology is there, showing itty bitty babies doing cute things in the womb. We’ve all seen it. And yet we insist “it” is sub-human. We turn a blind-eye and a deaf-ear because to admit our inhumanity in our actions is too difficult. To admit that an unborn baby is human and worthy of the same inalienable rights as the ones who were (intentionally) born, would be to admit that we are monsters, because only monsters could allow such a slaughter.
Ending slavery required a war. Ending the Holocaust required a war. I can not accept that ending abortion requires a war. But I am admitting defeat in ending it through legal means.
Instead, we are left with the hardest road. Prayer. Sacrifice. Sackcloth and ashes. Educating the ignorant. Counseling the doubtful. Charity in thought, word and deed.
And being filled with joy despite the carnage in which we live, because nobody loves a dour saint.
I believe that God is in control. I don’t believe that He is pleased that infanticide is sugar-coated as “choice.” But I believe it is His will that we struggle. Perhaps had McCain won, we would have all gone back to our cushy lives comforted that we did our part in voting for pro-life politicians, and that would be the end of it until the next election.
But now we all know that we have a LOT of work to do. We will have no help from the government, so we can stop placing our hope there and turn to Him who can do all things.
Reit This Way 
Great post Michelle. Your last point in particular struck home. It’s so easy to think just voting is enough, but we really need to be doing more. Abortion is still illegal here in Ireland, but thousands of girls go to England each year instead. I am trying to figure out a way I can help. Not sure how though. Obviously were we back in the US sidewalk counselling would be an option, but am torn as to what to do here. I really feel we all need to put our money where our mouth is on this one.
Excellent.Excellent.And did I mention this is excellent?
Michelle, this is a wonderful post. I know for me, my decision to abort was helped because it was so easy to do so. I was 17, and did not have to tell my parents. Granted, parental notification is still not required in the state of MD (MD virtually has no laws for minors and abortion), but now, with the FOCA, it brings back all those memories of just how simple and easy it was to get an abortion. God can do anything, and I think you’ve also made a good point that perhaps we would have gotten too relaxed with McCain in office. Who knows…but I do believe it is in times like these that saints are made, and the glory of God can still be seen, even through this horror and sorrow.
I was talking with my aunt over this same subject on the phone yesterday. I think a lot more people were called to prayer during this election and maybe God wants to continue that. Sometimes people don’t return to Him until something bad happens in their lives.Now the democrats are in full power and they will see what it is like to be blamed for everything that happens in the country. We’ll just pray for only four years of this, but I also agree that even under a Republican the laws wouldn’t be changed that quickly. We have to do more ourselves to help those mothers that think abortion is their only choice.
Wonderful post! I was more depressed over the pro-life legislative losses than over Obama’s win. You are 100% right in saying we cannot place our hope in politicians to change the fact abortion is legal in our country. This is a lesson in patience and perseverance for the pro-life movement. Are we going to collapse into a ball and give up because Obama won, or are we going to roll up our sleeves and get on our knees?
Good post, Michelle. So many of us feel how wrong abortion is and I hope we can make a change. The other side refuses to acknowledge the inherent evil — they are intellectually fooling themselves and they will pay the price at some point.
Michelle, you have a way with words. Thank you for this perspective. You are so right. We are being forced into the harder path of prayer and sacrifice. DH and I were talking about this last night. It has taken close to300 years to fight for the abolution of slavery, and then to end segregation, and now to have an African American as president. This was not achieved by sitting back and just voting for some politician and calling it good. It was a real struggle. Perhaps, as you say, this will open our eyes to the hard road we have ahead of us.
Well said!
Your children are absolutely gorgeous, and you are a living testament to the pro-life movement! I love your header… too cute. I’ll be back to read your regularly.
I am 100% pro-life, however I question how many lives (babies and mothers) have been lost in unreported, illegal abortions. In a perfect world, there wouldn’t be such a thing as abortion, or a choice to be pro-life or pro-choice. We are indeed a fallen people.
Amenr
Totally off topic… I just wanted to tell you you received an award from me today! Congrats!http://yofed.blogspot.com/2008/11/premio-dardos.html
I love your post. The last paragraph especially. It really says how I feel. Thanks.
You had some great things to say, here, Michele. Thank you for putting into words – what so many of us are thinking and feeling. I do agree that we (pro-life advocates) need to PRAY, first and foremost. Secondly, we need to get out and work… in our communities… in our churches…everywhere. We need to educate others and encourage others to join us in the fight to protect the unborn. — As Fr. Pavone said a few nights ago, abortions do not take place in the White House or congress. They take place in our towns and cities… There is much work to be done.
Great post, Michelle. Onward Christian soldiers!