The Baby I am Holding is Not Just a Zygote

2016-01-20 11.29.43Last Sunday was Sanctity of Life Sunday. Churches across the nation focused messages and lessons on the sanctity of life. I had the privilege of worshipping with Grace Evangelical Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. They interviewed a young mother in their worship service that made the subject deeply personal to me.

It was a typical day in December 2014. I was scrolling through my Facebook glancing at posts ranging from political discourse to family photos. One caught my attention. She was at the end of her rope, fed up with life, tired of the corruption and hypocrisy that she experienced from others. Something about her post told me that it was not just another rant by someone angry with the politics of the day.

I did not want to post in all the comments that only appeared to me to dive deeper into anger and despair. I sent her a private message and learned that she was pregnant and in a very dark place in her life. Her family, friends, and even doctors, pressed for her to “take care of it” with an abortion.

Over the next few days I was chatting via Facebook with Victoria every few hours. The main topic was if she had eaten. Through a series of contacts over the next week, I was able to connect Victoria with Luci Hough and Phyllis Avrit from the Fayette Pregnancy Resource Center. Luci and Phyllis connected Victoria with the members of First Baptist Church of Peachtree City and Grace Evangelical Church in Fayetteville.

Over the next several months, families from First Baptist Church of Peachtree City and Grace Evangelical opened their homes to Victoria. On April 2, 2015, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. The churches helped her through medical issues surrounding the pregnancy as well as finding a place to live and a job. Mostly, they helped her to experience the overwhelming and unconditional love of Jesus Christ displayed through His Body in that local church.

Phyllis Avrit posted the photo below on her Facebook page with these comments:

 Today was a great day. It is Sanctity of Life Sunday. Victoria Ástríður Andersen shared in church her story of redemption and a changed life, of how God rescued her, transformed her and incredibly provided for her these past 13 months. For the first time in her life she can say “It is well with my soul” because her eyes are on Jesus and she trusts Him. It is a joy and an honor to see her physically and emotionally healthy. Zac (9 months) can’t help but steal your heart with his big smile and friendly eyes.
Mother holding baby with people around her

I met Victoria in person for the first time on Sunday. I got to hold Zac in my arms. As I was holding him, Victoria looked at me and said, “he is not just a zygote.” She is absolutely right.

Pastor Gary Franklin shared with the congregation that to be pro-life means that the church must be willing to be pro-life for the baby, the mother, and the family that is in need.

As a nation we still print our motto, “In God We Trust” on our money and stamp it on our coins. Victoria and Zac are both alive today and adding value to the lives of others because in the midst of her darkest hours, she made the right decision to trust God.

This was the most powerful Sanctity of Life Sunday that I have experienced. It was not just philosophical and theoretical. It was personal and real

If you want to make a real difference in someone’s life, let me recommend the Fayette Pregnancy Resource Center as being a worthy investment. Victoria and Zac might not be here today if it weren’t for them.

Signature-Donald E. Cole

 I appreciate you taking the time to read my thoughts. Please forward these to your friends and share on Facebook. Also, let me hear from you. I always enjoy hearing back from you and I try to respond when you take the time to write me.

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