A Joy Worth Protecting

A Joy Worth Protecting

With every bone in my body I will praise him: “LORD, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?” Psalm 35:10

Before choosing family practice, I entertained the idea of specializing in obstetrics. I had great memories of being a medical student and delivering my first set of twins and how doubly excited everyone was at their birth. There is nothing like the joy that fills the room when new parents hear their baby’s healthy first cry. It’s an intoxicating feeling, too, for someone who typically deals with people who aren’t feeling well.

Around that same time, Roe v. Wade became law. That landmark decision allowed abortions up until the third trimester. The thought of that sickened me. As I researched residency programs in obstetrics, I saw that many of them offered training in these techniques. I realized that my personal values would be in conflict with the prevailing public opinion.

At the time, I didn’t think I had the strength or courage to spend the rest of my career fighting those battles. So, I set my sights on helping rural and poor families maintain their health and found peace as a country doctor. In my own little practice, away from the city, I thought I would be far from the abortion fight. At the time, I didn’t realize that the battle would spill into every corner of our nation.

Even after all these years, I still don’t believe the war is lost. Many of our Christian friends are working to protect the rights of the unborn, the weak, and the unprotected. Each baby who is saved, either through counseling with the mother or adoption, is a victory for life—for that child’s life. Slowly, the tide is turning. More and more people are coming to understand what I learned early in my training—there is no greater joy than the first cry of a newborn baby.

TODAY’S RX

God will continue the war against evil, even when we don’t have the will or strength to join him. He is our strength and deliverer, and he rescues and protects the helpless.

Lord, continue to fight this fight and protect the lives of the unborn. May we not be careless with your creation, but work together to provide for the needs of mothers and their babies. Instill your peace and provision into all of those who need to hear from you today.