by Katie Wanek, guest blogger and Biking for Babies missionary
To be pro-life is to see the dignity and value of every human life, no matter the circumstances.
One old and worn-out argument for abortion we hear time and time again is, “…but the baby might grow up in poverty or experience suffering and hardships throughout life.” What this argument is essentially saying is that if life is hard, it is not worth it. What is this saying about those who are homeless or those who are seriously struggling? The message this argument sends is that they are not worthy of life and it would be better off for them to not be alive.
This could not be further from the truth.
Every day at work, I am reminded of the truth that every life is a gift. I work at a nonprofit that serves men who are experiencing various hardships. Some of them come to us upon their release from prison. Others are struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. Others find themselves homeless for a variety of other reasons. The one thing that they all have in common is that they often have nowhere else to go and are looking to get out of the dark places they are in and turn their lives around. The lives of people in these situations are just as valuable as anyone else’s. I’ve seen people who have next to nothing live as if they have everything. I’ve seen people who are seen as outcasts and pushed to the bottom of society with a deep appreciation for the smallest of things that others would overlook. The men who come to our doors who are experiencing poverty and hardships often have determination and hope.
None of us can know for sure the path that God will lead someone on. Just because people may be born into poverty or experiencing intense hardships, it does not mean that they will be in those places forever. With God, anything is possible. With God, there is always light in the areas of darkness. Instead of denying someone the right to life simply because it may be hard, we need to show others that life is a beautiful gift, regardless of any situation. Instead of eliminating the person, we should work to eliminate the problem.
In the pro-life movement, we are called to offer hope, encouragement, and tangible resources to help those in need, especially women in unplanned pregnancies who may not have any support. Life can be hard, and there are real struggles and suffering that will be faced. However, the gift of life far outweighs any difficulty that we may ever have. No one ever said life will be easy, but it is always worth it.
“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” -John 16:33
If you would like to support centers that offer hope, encouragement, and tangible resources to women in unplanned pregnancies, consider giving to Biking for Babies and rebuild a culture of life with us!
