by Pastor Marcel Kohlmeyer
Life has been devalued in our culture. Since the 1960s, the United States has gone from a culture of life to a culture of death. This is exemplified in the 1973 Supreme Court ruling, Roe v. Wade, which legalized the murder of the unborn in our society, even though science clearly shows that the life in the womb is a baby. We have those who advocate for their death for any reason. While prolife supporters advocate for the life of the unborn, the pro-death supporters argue about quality of life for the mom and even the baby if there should be anything wrong with the baby. From their point of view, if one is deemed to be a burden (by them) and not a productive member of society, they do not have the same value as one who is able to work and add to society. One may ask, “What about the handicapped? Do they have value?” From a culture of death, the answer is “No.” That is why amniocentesis and other tests are used to determine if a baby has Down syndrome. It is used as a justification for an abortion. In many countries in Europe, there is a move to eradicate Down syndrome from their land. Today, there are those who advocate infanticide outside the womb by arguing that a mother has a right to abort her baby who has already been born. (Virginia Governor Ralph Northam advocated such a position.)
This really hits home with me as my sister, Karla, was one of those who would be considered undesirable by this culture of death. Karla was a normal child growing in the womb until tragedy struck. When my mom was giving birth, her blood pressure dropped, and she went into a coma. When my sister was born, the medical staff assumed that she was dead, so they focused their efforts on my mom. But then, a nurse happened to see my sister twitch. She knew that she was alive, but she was being oxygen-starved because they did not clear out her airways. So, they began to resuscitate her. The good news is that both my mom and sister survived. The bad news was that Karla had severe Cerebral Palsy.
They called the pastor, and he baptized Karla on that same day. In that moment, she received the gift of eternal life. As the Scripture says, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying” (Titus 3:5–8). On that day, Karla went from physical and spiritual death to physical and spiritual life! Jesus saved her in those waters of Baptism. It is solely by His grace as the Scripture says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:8-10a). Why? Because Karla has value in her Creator’s eyes. He sent His Son, Jesus, who died for her and all people, no matter if they are living in their mother’s wombs or if they have been born! To this culture of death, the LORD says, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16).
Life was difficult both for Karla and my parents. The extent of the damage to Karla’s brain was severe. Right away, my parents were faced with those who suggested that they could give her up because she would need a lot of care. The doctor said that Karla would not live beyond twelve years old. The doctors said that she would never know anyone or anything. She would not be able to perform any basic tasks. She would not be able to walk or talk. All that she would be able to do is lie down or sit in a chair. My parents and, later on, my other siblings and I, would need to assist in her care. She needed to have diapers changed throughout her life, she needed to be dressed and fed—much like you would a baby in the first year or so. Later on, she would need a feeding tube since she would aspirate her food, and it would go into her lungs. Throughout her life, she suffered with seizures, and she was in and out of the hospital more times than I can count. A culture of death sees no value in a life such as this, but I am here to tell you that there is value in such a life.
Karla enriched my life and the lives of our whole family, along with others who knew her. I think that she had a much bigger impact on me than I did on her. While doctors said that she did not understand what we were saying and that she could not communicate, our family knew better. She could communicate with groans if she needed something or was in pain. But she never cried. She had the cutest smile that would come when she was happy. She loved listening to Alvin and the Chipmunks and loved to be read to. I would often read the comics to her. She loved stuffed animals, and we would use them to play with her. One of her favorite animals was a brown bear that had a heart that lit up and blinked to a musical beat.
The Scriptures declare, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:13-16).
Karla was my little sister. She was just two years younger than me, but she only lived to be 18 years old because each of her days was written down and known only to her Father in heaven. Karla taught me to see that all of life is precious. That all our days are in the Lord’s hands. This is true for Karla as well as for you and me. Every life has value because every life is created by God and redeemed by the blood of Christ! And in Holy Baptism, the Holy Spirit sanctifies each life to live in the forgiveness of sins and in the joy of eternal life! Even though she is with our Lord in heaven, there will come a day when our Savior Jesus returns, and He will raise her body from the grave and she will live forever with Him, perfect and whole! Karla’s life has value! And if Karla’s life has value, what about those who are not yet born, especially those with Down syndrome or some other ailment? It is my prayer and hope that Karla’s life will help you to see that all of life, including your own, is a precious gift from God. By God’s grace, we will stand up for the right to life for all people because all life has value and is precious to us and our Father in heaven!
Rev. Marcel Kohlmeyer is Pastoral Counselor of LFL of Nebraska.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2024 LFL of Nebraska Newsletter (Vol. 2 #45).