No Room

No Room

by Linda Bartlett

Recently, I became a grandmother for the first time. It is an experience like no other. Each opportunity to hold my grandson is surprisingly different than holding my own two sons. Each gaze upon the child of my child is a generational moment, divinely inspired. The room of my heart excitedly receives this little one. The room of my life rearranges itself.

My joy, however, is another woman’s sadness. Often, when I am holding my grandson, I think of the thousands and thousands of other women of my generation whose arms will never hold a grandchild. Their arms will never hold the child of their child. That’s because they believed the lie – “Make this one sacrifice and choose a better time to be a mother.” Although the rooms of their hearts may have whispered a word of welcome, the rooms of their lives did not.

“Trust Me and I will help you make room for this child whom I love,” said Jesus. But, because the woman did not hear or trust His voice, the world captured every thought and desire. Tossed in a tumultuous sea, these women reached toward salvation. But the “quick fix” of abortion was temporary. Women sent away from abortion clinics are betrayed by false hope and abandoned to a deeper, blacker sea in which burdens of guilt, grief, and anger threaten to pull them into cold and lonely darkness.

Mary, Joseph & the Innkeeper

Sometimes, the best of all gifts comes to us when we are unprepared. That’s how it was with Jesus Christ. When the angel announced His coming to Mary and then Joseph, they were certainly taken by surprise. But, they adjusted plans and put their trust in the Almighty. On the other hand, when the innkeeper was invited to welcome the Savior of the world, he replied, “There is no room in my inn.” If only he would have rearranged a little! If only he would have trusted! But, because he didn’t think there was room, he missed the most wondrous opportunity he would ever know.

In a similar way, thousands of women of my generation have missed wondrous opportunities. Women close to me who have had abortions acknowledge this. Through them, I have come to believe that in the heart of nearly every post-abortive woman is an empty place that is forever expectant and waiting. A cry of sorrow echoes in the room that was always there.

Painful Consequences

In 1973, a few people thought that abortion would make good law. A few loud voices proclaimed that every woman should have the “right to choose” the death of their child. More than three decades of death later, a growing number of Americans agree that abortion is a sad choice made in desperation. The price has been too high.

Women who once believed that there was no room in their life for a baby today mourn the child whose heart beat so close, but so briefly, under their own.

Men who once believed that there was no room in their life for a baby are today angry at themselves for failing to protect their son or daughter.

Grandparents who once believed there was no room in their life for a grandchild today dream of grandchildren that would have filled the rooms of their homes with laughter.

In three decades, abortion has claimed the lives of 42 million American children. These sons and daughters lost their lives in public, taxpayer-funded places like Planned Parenthood and private places like Dr. Tiller’s abortuary in Wichita, KS., and Christ Hospital in Chicago. The loss of one life affects the lives of countless others. The loss of millions affects society for generations to come.

Society has suffered greatly. That’s because . . .

1. Abortion changes society.

In the early 70s, the feminists fought for abortion rights because, in order to “compete with men,” they believed it was necessary to become more like men. “Men don’t have to bear children,” the feminists said, “so why should we?” But what happens when the creature uniquely designed by God to be a bearer and nurturer of life turns against the child knit together in her womb? In his book, Men and Marriage, George Gilder notes that women “domesticate and civilize male nature.” This is largely accomplished by connecting men to children, family, and posterity. But, abortion disconnects men from children. It encourages men to live irresponsibly. In no way does it respect a woman.

2. Abortion threatens society.

If it is acceptable to stop the beating heart of an “inconvenient” preborn baby, can it be so wrong to stop the beating heart of an “inconvenient” newborn or Great Aunt Jenny with Alzheimers? Can it be so wrong to stop the beating heart of a fellow student? Mother Teresa made the connection. She said, “Any nation that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use violence to get whatever they want.” Dare I bring this closer to home? Any mother, father, grandparent, pastor, or congregation who accepts abortion is not teaching living children to love, but to use violence to get whatever they want.

3. Abortion hardens society.

Said one woman, “The abortion experience is just one more hardening of the heart. Hardening my heart to my own flesh conditions me to do it to others and even justifies it in my mind.”

Thirty years of legalized abortion has made us into different people. That’s because abortion turns children into inconveniences rather than opportunities. Abortion turns parents into bearers of burden rather than joy. Abortion influences even those of us who are appalled by the idea to view children not so much as irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind gifts from God, but as gifts we should accept only under certain conditions. Even Christians fail to see children as their nation’s greatest and most hopeful resource. Abortion places the emphasis on fear rather than trust; desperation rather than resourcefulness; hopelessness rather than hope; a culture of death rather than life.

There Is Hope!

Something tells me, however, that we don’t like the people we’ve become. And you know what? Because of Jesus, we don’t have to stay that way! Jesus holds the key which frees us from Satan’s grip. Faith enables us to believe this is true! In Jesus, fearful hearts become trusting hearts. Difficult situations become opportunities to see God at work. Hopelessness is overcome by hope. The coldness of death is overwhelmed by the warmth of life.

In Jesus, we find the way of light and life (John 12:46; 14:6).

In Jesus, we are encouraged not to offer sacrifices, but mercy (Matthew 12:7).

In Jesus, we are cleansed and forgiven of all sin (1 Timothy 1:15).

In Jesus, we are set free (Galatians 5:1).

Thanks be to God for the love of Jesus! His is the love that heals. Jesus will fill the empty and expectant rooms of our hearts.