THANK YOU, LORD! for safety on the highways (It's good to have babies!) (revised post)

Chrissy called this morning. She had slid a long way in her car -- though going only 30 mph on her way to her teaching job at school. She tried to just steer without braking, but it got worse, so she put the brakes on and then fishtailed wildly, landing in a corn field on the opposite side of the road, going the opposite direction. She said she felt numb in her hands and feet and ears at first and wondered what that meant. Wondered if it was shock. Her father said a neck x-ray might be good. The numbness didn't stay with her --so far. She called while still on her way to school. There was only one Jeep anywhere in sight --and it resumed driving when it saw she was back on the road. So, thankfully, no cars to hit.

She said she called out to the Lord, "Jesus, help me, help me, Jesus!"

I'm so glad she knows Him by faith to call upon Him.

Maybe she needs better tires. She slid into a car a year or two ago on those country roads.

Thank you, Father, for protecting and sparing our girl. We can imagine and share the sorrow and feel the devastation of any who lose their children, through accidents or war.

How can anyone abort these precious ones, missing the joy of knowing their own children? They have no idea what they've missed, whom they've terminated.

When Chrissy was coming, we wondered if we could possibly love no.2 as much as we loved Baby No. 1. When no. 1 was coming, I was in disbelief as I hadn't been around pregnant people much and couldn't imagine it for myself. I wasn't opposed to it; I just couldn't imagine it. I felt I had a condition, more than a baby. It wasn't something I was dying to have happen to me!

Way too many young people today are thinking that way--that other people's children look like a pain to raise--and a lot of work --and who would want to raise those howling, whiney kids? and who would elect pregnancy? But they have no idea what it will be like for them. It's amazing what parenting does to stretch the heart and soul (never mind our bodies!) We shouldn't recommend abortion to anybody --nor even allow it --1.6 million American babies per year--the biggest holocaust in the world.

When those babies came to our house, we knew in a new way what it was to be a family. We were now parents together, bonded forever through these children. It enriched our marriage and enlarged our hearts and our social world. We will have 11 people (at least --maybe more if my brother would come up and bring my mother-she usually celebrates with his in-laws) at the dinner table for Thanksgiving --8 are there because we married, had kids, and they married. Our own social niche and support network --interesting, enjoyable people who enjoy getting together.

I'm sorry for those whose marriages fail. God hates divorce and the damage it wreaks upon the abandoned ones. Family is both strong and fragile --it takes a commitment to Christ to help cement the bonds --and the ability to forgive and practice Golden Rule living in the home. Jesus shows the way--the light to the home. And He is the comforter to those with broken pieces, the mender of the heart, who can take sadness and replace it with joy.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.





"God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and have eternal life."--the Bible