Remembering 24: These Strange Ashes

 

"When human hands have done all they can — when they've done their worst — you are still held in God's hands" (Erwin Lutzer).

I took a seat as a wave of grief passed over me, and the tears began to flow. I had just completed a work meeting — the results of which were about to drastically change my life. I'm not much of a crier, but that day the wailing lasted nearly four hours. Trying to pull it together and take a deep breath, I picked up the phone and called my mom (thank the Lord for godly mothers). I explained the situation — that I was being forced out of an organization I had invested blood, sweat, and tears in — and that I wanted to try to figure out some way to make it work. But, the truth was, I was being "quietly fired" — which basically meant I could resign or be let go. I felt profoundly humiliated, betrayed, and used. Why had I chosen to sacrifice days, nights, weekends, some holidays, my creativity, and ideas for an entity that was ready to dispose of me at the drop of a hat? I wasn't sure. Had I been blind?

A blend of thought, tears, and prayer led to my final decision—it was time to pen my letter of resignation and complete my final two weeks. For years, I had pushed myself to endure, work harder, and never give up under the job conditions, but, alas, I saw clearly that it had tragically been in vain.

Elisabeth Elliot once wrote a book she named "These Strange Ashes," a story of work she felt she had done in vain. Elisabeth was a missionary who was translating the Bible into a tribal language. After laboring diligently at the task, all her translation notes were lost, never to be recovered. She penned that title "These Strange Ashes" in reflection about the loss of work she had done fully for God.

That book title seems fitting as I reflect on year twenty-four of my existence. Most of this past year was spent working for an entity that would ultimately decide to go on without me.

Since that fateful meeting, I’ve found myself experiencing all of the stages of grief, and deepening my prayer life. Investing strong effort in a cause you care about is ultimately an act of vulnerability because every little stride towards the ideal – in this case, of ending abortion – is done with heart. Once your work is dismissed by those you once considered comrades in the fight, it is crushing. However, God has thankfully met me in this newfound place of loss.

Choosing to offer up your skills, work, and effort for an oppressed people group can be fulfilling, but with such high stakes in the fight, it can also be demoralizing.

Although my season of working at one entity is over, and it came to a close in a way that felt humiliating, prayer has led me to the conclusion that regardless of what may happen between me and other advocates – good or bad experiences – the unborn deserve my defense. And that is why I continue to fight for them after such a brutal experience.

Looking Back at Year 24

The unexpected ending to my job came this July, but long before that, a lot of life was lived in year twenty-four. Looking all the way back to last August, God was teaching me through challenges what it means to have confidence based on His unchanging character and not in the coming and going of personal successes or failures. 

Feeling down after a challenging day, I wrote these words in my journal,  “Lord, I’ve made so many mistakes today. I’m hurting on the inside…Life has been rather overwhelming today. All of my wounds have been triggered and ripped wide open. So many memories flashed before me — so much grief was felt. Everything was fine for most of the day until [something happened at work]…An OK day became a very humiliating and low day…” (09.05.23). Challenges in the workplace were forcing me to look beyond my current circumstances onto the eternal for meaning. I found myself reflecting on God's unfailing presence: 

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me” (Isaiah 49:16). “I, even I, am He who comforts you” (Isaiah 51:12).

The month of September brought an onslaught of abortion extremism to the state of Michigan. Despite the fact that the abortion industry had succeeded in its disinformation campaign promoting Proposal 3, ending in that amendment of lies being added to our state's constitution, they were not yet satisfied in their pursuit of shedding the blood of the innocent preborn. Thus, the Reproductive Health Act was heard before Michigan's legislature. "Tomorrow, bright and early, I am going to attend the Health Policy Committee hearing of the Reproductive Health Act. Lord Jesus, please cause the RHA to fail" (09.13.23). 

That morning was hard to stomach. I joined dozens of pro-life advocates who opposed this new legislation in the House of Representatives that sought to enshrine abortion through all nine months in our state's laws. We only had a few pro-life laws left in Michigan, but the Reproductive Health Act would repeal many of those that remained. Bold pro-life professionals took the stand and defended the preborn in front of the pro-abortion majority in the committee. Months later, despite our hearty opposition, the Reproductive Health Act was passed. Today, RHA continues to be a source of oppression, discrimination, and violent harm against the most vulnerable members of our state. Never has the need been greater for every pro-life person to raise their voice on behalf of babies in the womb who are completely unable to defend themselves.

I continued praying and asking God to show me how to advocate more effectively for the unborn. He would give me peace through His Word: "You guide me with your counsel" (Psalm 73:24). Every person who seeks to defend babies in the womb brings their own unique gifts, strengths, and weaknesses to the fight — and everyone is needed in our mission to end violence against children. "God gave you a fingerprint that no one else has, so you can leave an imprint that no one else can" (Unknown).

In the midst of intense anti-abortion advocacy, I was wrestling with some personal things in my own heart. This Scripture simultaneously rebuked me and encouraged my soul — "I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). God is sovereign over every individual aspect of our lives — the things that bring us joy, and the hardships that threaten to break us. I journaled: "May I have valiant trust in you, in your plans, and in the suffering you allow me to experience in your sovereignty" (10.22.23). I was carrying some heavy things that kept me in prayer and constantly coming to God for hope, strength, and fresh joy. God was reminding me that He works powerfully through the weakness of His people. "Our weakness is a vessel for His power and our flaws a canvas for His grace" (She Reads Truth).

When My Spirit Cries Out "SOS"

God brought great conviction upon my heart as the winter months progressed — I was living in fear in many ways, and a simple verse that many of us read around Christmastime pricked my conscience.

"She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21, emphasis added).

I had been studying sections of the book of Matthew and the Holy Spirit met me as I examined that one particular word — save. "The word 'Save' is the Greek word 'Sozo' which is from sos — a Greek word meaning safe or rescued. ‘Safe/rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety’ (Helps Word Studies). When I feel unsafe and my spirit cries out ‘SOS’ I will remember that I am in the care of the One named Jesus Christ who has saved my soul for all eternity and brought me into divine safety. Because of the work that Jesus has done, I have been rescued for all eternity. I dwell in divine safety even when I feel unsafe" (01.02.24) [1].

If I was enslaved to the sin of fear, God was convicting me through His Word that I needed to confess and be set free from it. Other passages that I read on different days also contributed to this. "We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin" (Romans 6:6). "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

One of my many fears, at the time, had to do with painful relationships that seemed to threaten my future. But God continued to call me out and remind me that my responsibility is to be faithful in what He places before me each day, to be kind to the people He puts in front of me, and to be intent in my pursuit of Him. I happened upon these words from Alexandra Hoover that helped me meditate on God's absolute control over every circumstance I face: 

"God will pull up the chairs and make a room at the tables that you need to be at. Your influence isn’t contingent on others. Steward what God’s called you to. Stay faithful."

 

God’s Presence in my Uncertainties

Mary Slessor — a missionary to Calabar — once spoke these profound words: "My life is one long daily, hourly record of answered prayer. For physical health, for mental overstrain, for guidance given marvelously, for errors and dangers averted, for enmity to the Gospel subdued, for food provided at the exact hour needed, for everything that goes to make up life and my poor service. I can testify, with a full and often wonder-stricken awe, that I believe God answers prayer" [2].

So many times during year twenty-four, I found myself calling upon the Lord Jesus for His intervention and provision, and He never failed to be my help. God delights in the dependence of His children — it is never a burden to Him when we bring Him our needs, heartaches, challenges, joys, hopes, desires, and dreams. He cares about all of it, and He desires for us to draw ever nearer to Him in every kind of season we face in this life.

Overcoming Relational Oppression

This past year came with a crash course in skills I never wanted to need to learn. And that would be the need to identify gaslighting and oppressive relational dynamics — discerning them with the light of Scripture.

I penned in my journal: "I will believe, with God’s help, that I am fully loved to the core of my being even when I am treated poorly by people" (05.29.24).

Have you ever had a person in your life who was incapable of convincing you of their perspective with normal human reason (or through prayer), and instead turned to psychological manipulation? Unfortunately, I had a relationship in my life that went that way. If I had a disagreement with this individual, they would tell me that I was "making up stories" or that what I thought was reality wasn't actually. I began bringing others into the situation since I was being accused of insanity. I would show a wise mentor some of the communications I received from this individual, and with their added input, and that of a Christian counselor, it became clear that I wasn't loony and my perspective wasn't wrong, but my perspective did not serve this person's narratives, and thus they resorted to gaslighting to attempt to intimidate me into embracing their conclusions.

Never before have I been so convinced of the need for more education on what manipulation looks like in relationships. If you are ever told by an acquaintance, friend, coworker, or significant other that you are crazy for not embracing their vein of thinking, be cautious before agreeing with their perspective that you're just insane and that's the whole problem. It's possible you are experiencing psychological manipulation through gaslighting. (And if you are experiencing that, I recommend picking up the book "Safe People"* by Cloud and Townsend).

If you are experiencing gaslighting, it can erode your confidence and create intense doubt about your own mental faculties. But we serve a God who tests hearts and minds — He knows every person's true motives — whether they are genuine or not. 

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds" (Jeremiah 17:10).

Bring your hardest human relationships before God in prayer, and ask Him to fill you with discernment and courage when you face toxic behavior from others. Often God does call His people into dark places that may include encountering people with maladaptive coping strategies. Jesus is a valiant defender of His children — He is not an accuser. When people exhibit accusatory behavior, have the tenacity to remember that your identity is forever fixed in Christ — no human being can give or take away your security. One of the greatest benefits of experiencing the challenges of difficult people in our lives is that it creates an opportunity to grow in supernatural resilience before them — testifying to the eternal strength of our God, who faithfully defends us.

Remember that God Has Specifically Gifted You According to His Purposes

I hope you never encounter gaslighting in your relationships. Whether if you do or not, we all need the reminder that God has gifted us in specific, meaningful ways and wants to use our gifts for His glory. Even if others in your life have sought to sow doubt in you and the gifts God has given you, you are, in fact, gifted in many unique ways, and He has prepared you for particular good works He has in mind for you to do for Him.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

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Year twenty-four was incredibly hard, but I look back and see that God has been faithful and present. Had I experienced a year like twenty-four a few years ago, I wouldn't have been able to handle it. I see in that the grace of God and His faithful presence ever going before me in the sufferings He sovereignly allows in my life. It's a sign of growth made possible by God when we can look back and see that He has given us what we needed to endure hardships we never planned to face. As I look ahead to year twenty-five, which is starting today, I feel a strong sense of grit that was built through the dirt of the previous year. 

Although I would have liked to avoid some of the difficulties of year twenty-four had that been possible, I now have new discernment about incredibly challenging situations that will help protect me from bad situations in the future. Even though I would not have chosen some of the profoundly hard relationships that were in my life last year, I have become more courageous and more resistant to manipulation as a result of it. Scripture tells us that God is working all things: "for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28), so if you are currently facing a difficult year of your own, know that I am praying that God shows you His incredible power, peace, and presence as you endure the challenge before you. He is an incredibly loving and strong God who is able to see you through every difficulty you ever face. Dare to believe it, and go forth courageously in all He has called you to. Even if you've faced a season of "strange ashes," He will redeem, and He will refresh your soul in the wilderness.

"He is my loving God and my fortress" (Psalm 144:2a).

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Works Cited

1. Bible Hub. 4982 Sozo. https://biblehub.com/greek/4982.htm

2. Mary Slessor. https://www.azquotes.com/quote/721988

* I do not endorse the entire book "Safe People" by Cloud and Townsend (I disagree with a few sections of it), but, generally, it is a helpful resource.

Seven Tips For Navigating Painful Transitions

Recently, I began a new season of life. Without going into great depths about the messy situation, I will say that my recent experiences have included a painful transition forward into the next things God is calling me to do. But with this alteration has also come much thought about what it means to navigate a painful transition well, for the glory of God.

Have you had difficult transitions in your life before? If so, here are seven tips I hope will minister to you and give you hope as you look ahead.

1. Reflect on God's sovereignty over your life story

Whenever we find ourselves moving into new territory that we did not plan to traverse, it can cause us to reflect on our life story. Maybe you're even tempted to recall many painful events that have occurred over the course of your existence and bask in the ache of it all. But the truth is, even when we are grieving, sad, experiencing loss, or harmed by others, our Good and Loving God is still in control and is sovereign over our life story. No transition -- no matter how hurtful, unexpected, or unwanted -- takes our God by surprise. He is guiding the unfolding details of our lives in accordance with His eternal plan. The simple fact that we even exist at all is a testament to His presence with us. 

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created" (Revelation 4:11).

We live in a world impacted by sin and the fall of man -- and thus, every person to ever live, since Adam and Eve, experiences suffering. Therefore, closing one chapter of your story and moving into the next isn't always a perfectly happy adjustment. Even so, in knowing Jesus Christ -- the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8) -- we can find healing from the wounds we all experience in a broken earth. God's sovereignty gives us stability in the unknown. Because our trustworthy, kind, thoughtful, and perfectly just God is King of the universe, we can find rest for our souls even when we encounter an unexpectedly painful transition.


2. Do not fear man

“I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the Lord Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand—I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people'" (Isaiah 51:12,15-16).

Whatever role people may have played in causing you hurt during this life change, know they do not have the final say over your life. Scripture exhorts us to fear God and not man. As we just discussed above, it is God who is sovereign, not people. It is God who is in control, not fallen human beings who perhaps want us to experience pain. It is God who is guiding your life, not the decisions of those around you. I love these words from Corrie ten Boom: "Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future only He can see." We know that even the most trying challenges we face are circumstances that exist not to create the fear of man in our hearts but to increase our fear of God, who works all things together for our good (Rom. 8:28).


3. Do good

When you face an unexpected loss, it can be tempting to act out of bitterness, but God calls us to respond differently to the suffering we face. 

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good" (1 Peter 4:19). 

We are commanded to do good amidst our suffering. So although your heart might be aching with uncertainty and pain, God is still able to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Walking closely with the Lord Jesus results in our lives being marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (see Gal.5:22-23). No Christian exhibits these fruits perfectly -- this is a fallen world, after all -- but as we grow in our personal walks with Jesus, we will be increasingly marked by the fruit of the Spirit.


4. Turn to the Canon of Scripture for Comfort, Healing, and Meaning 

Ultimately, in order to navigate painful life transitions well, we need God's Word -- all sixty-six books of it. This means that even if we're enduring a low valley, we need to be progressing through reading the entire Bible -- setting aside time daily to know God more through His written testament. Not only should we read God's Word, though; we also need to study it and meditate on it often. God uses our devotional life with Him to pour strength into us and transform us more into His likeness. Don't allow what may be the business of a tumultuous season to keep you out of the Bible. Even when time in God's Word doesn't feel magnificent, the Holy Spirit is still using our time in the Bible to grow us spiritually. Do not give up your daily pursuit of the Word when you feel weary, but recognize your increased need for wisdom.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).

5. Remember other Christians who have gone before

Sometimes, the presence of suffering in our lives feels like a dreary storm cloud settled over us, not soon to pass. It can seem like a brutal season of life is going to last forever, and we may not be able to grasp what good is coming out of it. We get very "zoomed in" to the present moment when we are carrying something heavy, but when we remember that God has worked powerfully through millions of lives and millions of stories of suffering, we gain a new and refreshing perspective. What matters most is that God is glorified for all eternity. When we glance back at history and see some of the incredible ways God has accomplished His Work, it can provide hope for us as we endure the challenges of the day that even our most difficult moments are being worked together unto that end.

I've been really blessed by the testimonies of Christians from history. Consider picking up one of these books:

- "God's Smuggler" by Brother Andrew
- "Evidence Not Seen" by Darlene Dibler Rose
- "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom


6. Develop your prayer life

In Psalm 55:22, we are commanded to: 

"Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you." 

Hard times can become a catalyst for prayer. God is a compassionate, engaged Father to us who is moved at a heart level over the suffering of His children. We can always approach Him when we are downcast. God never requires that we "get it together" before coming to him; no, He comprehends our weakness fully and does not despise our dependence upon Him. Jesus loves when we draw near to Him. Scripture says: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). Open up your heart to your dependable Savior who has borne your griefs and carried your sorrows (Is. 53:4); bring Him your every desire, hurt, and need. "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge" (Psalm 62:8).


7. Consider the Magnitude of the One you Worship

In the book of Daniel, we read one of God's Names: The Ancient of Days. 

“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before Him; a thousand thousands served Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him" (Daniel 7:9-10a).

That is the kind of God we serve -- one who holds sway over the entire universe. 

God is bigger, greater, and stronger than every painful situation we ever experience. When we pause to remember the magnitude of our powerful God, who holds sway over all things, we can approach change well, with confidence that the Ancient of Days remains in charge over it all.

If you're reading this post, just hoping for some support in the midst of a transition that hurts your heart, know that I am praying for you. You aren't alone in this difficult season, and the God who has seen you through every trial of your past will see you through this hardship as well.

"Do not let yourself be thrown down or give in to despair. Stand evenly at the will of God...For after winter comes summer. After night comes the dawn. And after every storm, there comes clear, open skies" (Samuel Rutherford).

Reflections on Twenty Three: He Trains my Hands for War and my Fingers for Battle

If you've been around my blog for a few years, you may know that I typically publish a blog post every year on my birthday — reflecting on God's work and goodness in my life. As you may have noticed, there was no such blog post put up last year. 

Only a few weeks before my 23rd birthday, I had a painful breakup. When it first happened, I hoped I would be able to grieve and heal enough in the few weeks before my birthday so I would feel capable of sharing my typical style of post — one that gives honest detail, rather than pretending that all is well forever and always. But I couldn't get past the continual feeling of extreme vulnerability that came from the breakup, and so even after I began writing that reflection on year 22, I was not able to post it. For which I would like to apologize...I started this blog with the intention to share honestly and transparently about the journey God has me on...I always attempted to use each birthday reflection as a means to edify others — and I am a firm believer that pseudo-perfection exuded by some Christians who refuse to share any level of transparency is more damaging than helpful. We don't set good examples for others by acting like everything is fine and that all is perfect — it is in our weakness that Christ is strong [2 Cor 12:9]. This does not ever permit us to give sin a free pass in our lives, or to "be real" in ways that dishonor the name of Jesus — rather, it means that we must recognize that the reputation that most matters is certainly not our own — it is Jesus who must be lifted high in our lives, in every season, amidst our triumphs, amidst our failures, when everything seems wonderful, and on the days we're grieved to the very depths. "That in everything He might be preeminent" (Col. 1:18b). 

Although I failed to bring you with me on the surprising journey of year 22, I look forward to restarting this tradition for year 23 — and if I am blessed with the painful difficulty of future breakups, I'll bring you along in the birthday reflection of that year rather than being avoidant of doing so. Because God works in our heartache and pain just as much as He works in our joy and happiness.

Reflections on Year 23

Year 23 started off with grief after a breakup. Even if my day included many hours of work, the sadness I felt was the predominant thought I was constantly sorting through. "Will any good come out of this…? Please, oh God, would you mold me into the woman you intend for me to become? I have failed so many times and in so many ways, and yet you are present and working" [08.22.22]. In my free time, I found myself trying to understand the meaning of my suffering. I found these words helpful:

"How often do great afflictions work our lasting good" (CH Spurgeon).

"God is never closer than when your heart is aching” (Joni Eareckson Tada).

“In acceptance lies peace” (Elisabeth Elliot).

One thing was certain — my heartache was constantly pushing me to turn to the Lord in prayer and to run to His Word for direction, meaning, and healing. A few months prior, I began my new job at a pro-life nonprofit, working in marketing. My boss was about to resign and become a stay-at-home mom to her baby, who was soon due. Conversations within the nonprofit organization about how to restructure the departments when she left were continual — eventually, I was offered the opportunity to be promoted. I was scared but felt that I should take on the promotion for the unborn. The nerves would gnaw at me when I thought of being in charge of a department: "This weekend, I have been talking to mom about how nervous I am to become a manager. My boss…will resign in about 4 weeks, and then I will begin to manage [my other coworker]" [09.03.22]. It was time to learn new skills and be pushed into a role I wasn't completely sure I was ready to take on. It felt like going skydiving without a harness.

Roe v. Wade and Proposal 3

Around the same time, the pro-life nonprofit launched a full-on campaign against the pro-abortion constitutional ballot initiative Proposal 3 that threatened to fully deregulate abortion and legalize the killing of preborn infants through the ninth month of pregnancy in Michigan. I was extremely frustrated that pro-abortion groups were targeting our state. Many pro-life advocates had been working for decades in Michigan to end abortion, and, finally, once Roe v. Wade was overturned, the states had the freedom to protect the unborn (although, our large-scale aspiration is for a federal abortion ban). In Michigan, a court case known as People v. Bricker affirmed our pre-Roe statutes banning abortion from fertilization, only holding an exception for the life of the mother. I was very hopeful that this statute would be in effect before the summer of 2022 was up if the Supreme Court successfully overturned Roe. I am so grateful the bloody, evil case Roe v. Wade was rightfully overruled on June 24, 2022. This case was the epitome of discrimination and injustice and led to the deaths of over 63.5 million unborn children — each one an individual who deserved love, protection, and human decency. Instead, they were brutally killed. May we live our lives in such a way that testifies to their value — relentlessly pursuing justice for unborn lives.

That case, People v. Bricker, whatever came of it? Well, the abortion ban was in effect for something like 6 hours on the day Roe v. Wade was overturned prior to an unjust injunction being placed on the law. I would like to take a moment to state the obvious — WHY would the leaders of the state of Michigan stop a law from being in effect that protects tiny babies from having their limbs cut off, their nutrition taken away to the point of starvation, and their tiny bodies being suctioned away to death? This injunction led to many specific babies being killed — children whose names are not known to us — but whose lives deserved protection. It was incredibly sickening to me that even once God had so great a mercy on our country as to expel Roe v. Wade from our nation's laws, the state of Michigan had so great a disdain for the lives of the unborn that the slaughterhouses were reopened immediately after they were closed. God will not hold our state guiltless for the grave sin of violently killing babies — ninety of them every single day — especially considering that He provided us a clear opportunity to do what is right in His eyes, to protect defenseless infants who cannot scream out in their own defense.

Campaigning & Canvassing

But, of course, a majority of the politicians and state legislators were unsatisfied with merely putting an injunction on the anti-abortion law Michigan had passed a hundred years ago...No, they argued, it must be utterly abolished. Thus, pro-abortion groups, including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, announced their intention to collect signatures for a constitutional ballot initiative that would repeal every pro-life law ever passed in Michigan and make abortion legal until the 9th month of pregnancy. Due to these horrific circumstances, the non-political group I worked for started our very own 501c4 (a type of nonprofit organization that does political advocacy) and launched a huge voter-education project. If wealthy pro-abortion groups would attempt to change the trajectory of our state to see to the deaths of many more babies, then we would put up a full-fledged fight against it, in hopes of stopping their pro-abortion intentions. 

Alongside many other young and passionate advocates,  I began canvassing for hours on end — working to convince Michigan voters in the mushy middle to vote no on Proposal 3. We were often working well over 40 hours per week, taking on as much canvassing and educational work as possible, certainly to the point of overwhelm. I penned in my journal, "Oh Lord, please help me to genuinely believe that you are here with us, toiling among us, helping our efforts. Please cause Prop 3 to fail. I know you are able. Show us your power. Please give me peace in the storm" [10.07.22]. Our team of a little over 20 staff and 1,000 volunteers was able to get 30,000 no-votes confirmed at people's front doors.

Throughout this season of constant door-knocking, I was working through my own struggles of uncertainty about my life story: "Please help me to remember that you were present in my past. My past does not make sense to me, but I know you see how it is all being worked together according to your purposes. I don’t understand why my story has had to be so broken and so full of loss. Lord, bring beauty from these desolate ashes" [10.20.22]. In the moments between doors and on the road driving to the next canvassing location, you could often find me deep in thought, considering my past and how things were being worked out. God was faithful to give me strength and fortitude to keep advocating for life amidst my own personal highs and lows — "Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle" (Psalm 144:1).

Election Day

Alas, the much-anticipated election day arrived. I joined the pro-life nonprofit's staff and some of our volunteers for the election watch party. Everyone went off to bed by 11pm, but I couldn't sleep — I prayed continually for Proposal 3 to fail and hoped for a miracle. The polls were close throughout the night. I fell asleep around 2 in the morning, uncertain of the results....soon to awake to the news: "Proposal 3 has passed into law. Oh Lord, spare our land from this evil. Change the hearts of those who voted yes. Lord Jesus, save unborn lives" [11.10.23]. It's hard to describe the extreme level of devastation every person on our team felt. Tears were numerous. Our hearts were broken for the women and children of Michigan.

Each of our staff went forward from that day with fresh resolve to fight for the unborn, even if the circumstances were grim. Unborn children have a right to our defense, even in the most difficult seasons.

“No matter how this season feels to me internally, He is faithful and He is working in my life. He will have His way and He will accomplish His will in me. Maybe it is difficult. Maybe I am hurting some on the inside. But He is nonetheless present and faithful. God is working together all the painful events of my life for my good — even if I have not yet seen what that good is. Lord, show me your love is endless” [11.28.22].

I clung to the hope that "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8). The same God who created every preborn child was going before me in my internal hardships and in the difficult fight for life in Michigan. 

In December, I took a trip to DC for a week to visit my friend Myah. This trip was refreshing to my soul after working constantly to stop Proposal 3 — being away from reminders of the campaign gave me an opportunity to rest. I spent a lot of time on that trip reflecting in my journal about the recent happenings in my life — asking God to work in the events that felt confusing to me. The Lord continually reminded me of His sovereignty over my life experiences — "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me" (Psalm 138:8a).

That winter was marked by continual work for the unborn, attending a church small group & building community with other Christians, and a horrifying event....

Active Shooter

On a February evening, my sister Cami sent my family a text, telling us that there was an active shooter on her campus. Cami was lying on her dorm room floor with the lights off; she and her roommate had moved their dresser against the dorm room door in case the shooter would attempt to come in. I was completely horrified. My little sister and her friends could be violently killed. I watched news coverage as the police attempted to track down the gunman — no family was allowed to access the dorms until the police could clear the building. I wanted nothing more than to pick my sister up from school and bring her back home for her safety — about an hour from the campus. But I could do no such thing. All we could do was text her and call with whispered voices to attempt to make sure she was ok. 

Praise be to God, her life was spared from death, but, tragically, several students on her campus did die that evening. It was incredibly traumatizing for her. I got in my car the following morning and picked her up from campus. I reflected later: "Lord Jesus, thank you for defending Cami from violence yesterday night when the active shooter was on campus. She could have been killed. She was in the part of the campus where the shooter later killed people only an hour before he got there. Thank you for protecting her and defending her and keeping her safe and for answering our prayers for her" [02.14.23].

Sometimes we don't even know to pray yet about something...and God shows us His care, mercy, and power by intervening before we even know there is a problem. So it was the night of the shooting. My sister and her friends all met up at one of the cafeterias on campus to hang out. They intended to stay at the cafeteria for several hours, but, for some reason, they suddenly felt they should all leave and go back to their dorm rooms — an hour before the shooter entered that very room of the campus with a loaded gun and intent to murder students. I believe God was present in that cafeteria that night and caused my sister and her friends to leave. He showed us His mercy and spared my sister's life and the lives of her friends by granting them the sense that it was time to leave. 

God is faithfully at work every day of our lives, but that day I saw his powerful hand in a way that was incredibly tangible. Remember — God is working in your life, protecting you in ways you may not even see today, and going before you in ways you do not even know. Who knows what kinds of daily miracles He might be doing in your life that we may not know about until heaven.

A New Cause: Becoming Passionately Anti-Porn

I have always been against pornography, but recently this passion has grown. I shared a simple Tweet I found interesting about how harmful porn is in relationships and many people commented — apparently I really stirred the pot. A Christian guy I know commented on my post about how he regularly views porn and it’s fine — he argued all that matters is that a guy doesn’t lie about it. Such a perspective is itself a lie from hell…His unbiblical defense for something so harmful, objectifying, and wrong was one catalyst that grew my anti-porn passion to greater depths. 

Around the same time, I was studying the book of Hebrews and encountered this verse — “God will judge the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4). As I meditated on this verse, I wrote in my journal, “Those who have given themselves over to sexual sin will be judged by God. God hates sexual impurity. So let me — with God — love the sinner and utterly hate the sin. Lord, make me braver in the depths of my soul. Give me courage and conviction” [02.16.23]. We must courageously live out biblical sexual ethics no matter the cost. Even if you are "that weird girl with strange convictions" to those around you — it's better to be unwanted by pornified men than to drop our standards in a vain attempt to obtain social acceptance. The One who paid for our sins with His very blood deserves MORE from His children than blind surrender to sin. It's time for all Christians to become fierce anti-porn advocates. Not only should we oppose something as extreme as pornography, but we must also attack its root — lust.

Another catalyst that grew my anti-porn passion was receiving a message from a girl my age who married a man who is ongoingly addicted to porn — she explained that she knew about the addiction before they married, and that it is hurtful to her that her husband regularly looks at porn, but argued that this is just the way it is. It broke my heart to hear how she had dropped her standards and put up with something in their relationship that so clearly violated her conscience and her deepest desires for marriage, knowing he was not able to be faithful to her. Women must date more fiercely, ask hard questions, and be willing to break up if a guy has an ongoing addiction of any kind — for the sake of healthy homes and God-glorifying marriages. It's easier said than done to date this way, but we cannot reflect Christ as we are called to or transform culture effectively if our spouse or ourself is chained to addiction.

Changing My View of Money

I am a pretty spontaneous person...not only with the way I run my calendar, but also with money...For a number of years, I held an unbiblical view of money and saw it as a necessary evil. I often felt that I didn't need to figure personal finance out extensively — I hoped to marry young, and wanted to pass that responsibility off to my husband...I didn't like money or managing it, after all. But a few breakups later, I started to realize that there was no guarantee I was going to marry, so I better figure out how to steward money more carefully on my own. Being a free-spirited spender made it hard to meet my financial goals, but I also lacked insight about where my money choices weren't effective. 

I started reading about Dave Ramsey's baby steps and was intrigued. I had lived mostly debt free, but had made the poor decision in the spring to finance an expensive camera lens for my photography business. I was stressed by the payment plan — even though I was able to manage it — I hated the feeling of debt hanging over my head. So I started the debt snowball, paid off the lens, and became 100% debt free in a few months. I found the Ramsey process of paying off debt so helpful that I was intrigued to learn more.

In April, I took Financial Peace University for the first time, and was incredibly inspired. I finally stopped seeing money as inherently evil, and began embracing a more healthy perspective that it is a tool to be stewarded properly for God's glory. I began the process of working on "Baby Step 3" and saving an emergency fund; it was incredible to watch my behavior around money transform. Dave Ramsey often says: "Personal finance is 20% knowledge and 80% behavior" — suddenly, it clicked. It wasn't really my lack of knowledge about personal finance. I truly had "bad money behavior." Lol. By starting zero-based budgeting with their Every Dollar app, regularly tuning into their financial show, and holding myself accountable to actually follow the budget I set, I began making significant progress. 

Honestly, this whole journey was such a testament to how incredibly gracious God is to us as we grow. I look back, even just a few months ago, before I began working on correcting my wrong view of money, and I feel kind of cringe. But God is such a gentle, gracious, and patient teacher. He sees every single area of our lives He wants altered and transformed to reflect Him more fully — and He lovingly convicts us through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. It gives me hope to look back and see His care — I've been working for a long time — since I was 14. And I just now learned how to effectively manage money. Yikes. But God is a gracious teacher — He loves His children. When He convicts us, it is always to bring about greater life and health in us. I'm thankful for His kindness.

--

I have so much to thank God for. I look back over all these memories and many more with gratitude — isn't is amazing how God uses grief, pain, difficulties, and challenging circumstances to cause us to recognize our need for Him more fully? He is a loving Father, and He cares so well for us.

In May, I wrote this verse in my journal, and I think it sums up well how I feel coming to the end of one year and beginning a new one — “Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us” (Isaiah 26:12)

I enter year 24 with expectancy — He goes before me.

Hurt, Pain, Cynicism, and Care

— Cynicism —

To be honest, it’s something I’ve really struggled with in my life — especially through the last several years.

Do you ever find yourself there too? Expecting the worst out of people, being avoidant of opportunities to form new connections and friendships, and assuming people want to and will hurt you?

A painful experience a few years ago made me think twice about being the open-hearted girl who loved people — I decided I didn’t like how vulnerable that left me, so I was going to make an adjustment. A serious one. The unfortunate thing about this response to a difficult situation was my huge lack of self-awareness; I knew I was hurting, but I didn’t know exactly what I was doing in response. I was shutting my heart down, but all I realized then was that I wanted the pain to stop — I did not realize I was embracing cynicism to accomplish my little safety project.

Last week, I got to go on a family trip that shook up that cynicism. Each morning, my family would go down to breakfast, where we met our waitress Amy (not her real name), who served us many days in a row. Amy was kind, friendly, and open-hearted and made it her mission to be a welcoming presence to us. Amy and I quickly found that we had so much in common — we had both worked in health care, had some nursing education in common, and just seemed to have a common philosophy of the value of family. So we had wonderful conversations.

The last day I saw her and said our goodbyes, it hit me — Amy did not have to be that kind to me. Most servers aren’t that interested in getting to know me. Amy was going above and beyond to listen, care, and find common ground. Why was she so loving? I’m just a random person she’s likely to never see again.

Amy isn’t cynical. When she serves and buses tables, she uses her gift of compassion to care intently for people. As we exchanged stories and experiences of working in health care, it became clear to me that Amy wasn’t nice because she’d never experienced painful challenges. She elaborated on how hard it was when she used to be a nurse in pediatric med surg — the more experienced nurses were often unwelcoming and mean — leading to her seeking out a hospital closet where she could shed a few tears every now and again when her shifts became especially trying. And yet these hard situations seemed to make Amy more loving, more kind, and more compassionate — not cynical.

When I was hurt a few years ago, it left me in the wake of another person’s decisions — I had been impacted and was left aching. When I met Amy, I was impacted and left better off than how she found me. Cynicism lies to us — saying that our painful experiences are bound to be repeated again and again — and so we miss both hard and extremely wonderful friendships because we avoid them altogether. One person can make a sizable impact upon you in very little time. But it doesn’t have to be a negative, painful, or harmful impact — it could be like Amy’s impact. You could know someone over just a few days and make a significant mark of selfless kindness that keeps on touching that person’s life long after you’ve left.

People can hurt you. They can leave a wake of pain long after they’ve departed from your life. But the reverse is also true. People can bless you. They can leave a wake of joy long after you’ve gone your separate ways.

Meeting Amy last week reminded me to love more fiercely, to care more intently, and to reject the lies of cynicism — people can hurt and impact you, but you can also hurt and impact them, which leaves a mighty responsibility that we most often overlook. You can create a wake of compassion that gets passed on when you tyrannically resist the temptations of cynicism. After all, we have a Savior who died for those who spat in His face and made a way for us to enter into a relationship with Him eternally — even after breaking His every command. The Gospel of Luke describes God this way: “The Most High [...] is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” (6:35). Are we too? Relationships require risk — you could be hurt, judged or rejected, but would you be willing to reach out anyways — motivated by the boundless love of Jesus?

I want to be less like the cynic I’ve become and be more like Amy.

Care is world-changing, and it points us to the powerful compassion of Jesus, who is merciful to sinners — He loves so intently that He is moved at a heart level.

May God transform us to become people of eager kindness motivated by His example rather than cold cynics who woefully avoid people out of a desire for self-preservation.

We might get hurt in the process, but we’d be in the company of the King of the World if we find ourselves in such an estate.

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil" (Luke 6:35).

"But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (Luke 6:27).

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:28).

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36).

4 Modern Christian Women & Their Take on Modesty

Recently, a Christian man posted his thoughts about sexual purity and modesty on Twitter. This thread was not well received and led to many people responding with their own--often disapproving--comments on the issue. I have been a firm believer for a number of years that it is possible to encourage and promote modesty in a grace-filled way. Though it is true that some Christian circles have instructed on modesty in a legalistic and unbiblical way, it is also true that our calling to dress for the glory of God is undiminished. If you have ever been in a Christian community that urged modesty in ways that were not ultimately edifying, know that Christian leaders do fail us sometimes--it absolutely can happen--Christian leaders may not always represent or speak of the truths of Scripture well. When Christian communities may leave us with less than helpful teaching on modesty, this in no way dismisses the calling Scripture has given us, but rather urges to be better students of His Word--remembering that true freedom is found in being a servant of Christ and in being set free from the power of sin. Freedom is not doing whatever we want or dressing however we may feel like. Rather, freedom is living wholly for Jesus Christ, offering up every department of our lives in total abandonment to Him. 

Where in Scripture can we study the issue of modesty? A few good places to start include: 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Peter 3:3, Proverbs 31:25. 

After hearing so much backlash from Christians--who profess to believe the Bible--on the Tweet encouraging modesty, I have researched to gather some perspectives on modesty (from Mandy and Nancy) and have asked a two dear friends (Heather and Abby) to share their perspective with us on the relevance of modesty to today's Christian women. May their perspectives edify you, cause you to study this issue in light of Scripture more than clinging to whims of culture, uplift you, and remind you that you are not alone as you seek to dress to point to Jesus rather than exalt yourself amidst a society that has lost its ability to value dignified and honorable dressing. 

1. Mandy Saeler, Managing Editor and Writer at Set Apart Girl

"While it is true that you cannot control the thoughts in a guy’s mind, you can control whether or not your wardrobe is a catalyst to impurity and lust. You can be a champion of purity by simply obeying Scripture, dressing discretely (see 1 Timothy 2.9-10), and allowing the beautiful and reverent Spirit of Christ to shine forth in every area of your life (Mat. 5.16). The calling to purity, honor, and modesty in the way that we dress cannot be argued away – it’s simply a matter of laying aside selfish excuses and choosing the fear of the Lord. Our lives and bodies are not our own, for we have been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6.19-20). We are called to in like manner that Christ did – bearing humility of mind, obedience, and servanthood (Phil. 2.5-8). We are to consider the good of others (including their purity) of higher esteem than our own opinions, desires, or convenience (Phil. 2.3-4). If you are struggling to discern the appropriateness of your wardrobe, take a step back and ponder eternity for a moment. We must understand the weight of Jesus’ words when He said that it would be better for a millstone to be tied our around our neck and be cast into the sea than to cause another to stumble into sin (see Luke 17.2). We will be held accountable for the choices that we make – even in regards to our wardrobe. On that final day will Jesus be able to commend you, saying, Well done, my good and faithful servant?" [1]

2. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Host of Revive Our Hearts & Bestselling Author of "Lies Women Believe"

 "Have been pondering the recent exchange re modesty. Some seem to be suggesting that: (a) what women wear, pics they post, etc., are inconsequential; (b) this is entirely the responsibility of men; and (c) to say otherwise is to objectify/sexualize/shame women. This subject warrants a more thorough, nuanced treatment than is possible on Twitter. But here are some biblical moorings I believe are important/helpful in the discussion: Modesty involves more than clothing, but not less. Modesty has application to both men and women. “The LORD God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them” (Gen 3:21). This was an expression of grace for fallen, shamed sinners—both male and female. Beginning in Genesis 3, nakedness/uncovering nakedness is used in Scripture as a metaphor for sexual relations, shame, and disgrace. E.g., Lev 18:6-18; Isa 47:3; Rev 3:18. Clothing is one we way identify who we are and the intent of our hearts. “A woman came out to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda…” (Prov 7:10). Clothing that is appropriate in one context may be inappropriate in another. E.g., What is good/holy/appropriate in the bedroom, between a husband/wife, may be impure/sinful/inappropriate in a different setting. 

"This is not a one-sided issue, as some would have us believe. Men and women are both sinners and we both sin against one another. Scripture condemns men who prey on vulnerable women, as well as women who seduce simple/foolish men. Both violate the law of love and the sanctity of life. Both represent an abuse of power. And both need to be warned and held accountable. When it comes to clothing, other pertinent biblical values include visual beauty, preserving male/female distinctions, not flaunting wealth or shaming those who have less, building up others rather than promoting ourselves, elevating the eternal over the temporal, etc. Speaking as a woman to women (leaving it to others to speak to the men among us): Let us aspire to honor Christ and showcase His loveliness and love in everything we do. Our clothing matters, as do our words, our behavior, our attitudes, and the motives of our hearts. Let us seek to bless and edify the men around us as our brothers and not to defraud them. This is the law of love. Sadly, words such as chastity and modesty have fallen on hard times among many believers. The consequences for both men and women have been costly and devastating. I pray for us all to recover the beauty, magnificence, and power of these timeless qualities that flow out of and reflect the gospel we profess. Everything that we as believers (male/female, married/single) do in this life is intended to point to a future, promised marriage— a celebration of our Savior’s righteousness and His redeeming love and grace: “The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. She was given fine line to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev 19:7-8)" [2]. 

3. Heather Cofer, Author of "Expectant" & Contributing Writer at Set Apart Girl

"I posted some thoughts on this a while back, but I’ve been seeing some statements made in regard to the recent viral tweet on modesty that have gotten me thinking. But first a note: I know this is a sensitive topic—many have been in circles where the subject of modesty has been twisted and abused, and many women have been hurt deeply because of it. We should walk with utmost compassion and care toward those who have been wronged, and those who have manipulated God’s Word for their own devices should never be justified. I want to make that clear before I share my thoughts.

"I’ve noticed many women saying that when men entreat women to dress modestly they are necessarily implying it is a woman’s fault when a man lusts. That’s simply not true. Although it may happen in some cases, I know very few Christian men who would absolve themselves or others of their responsibility before God not to lust regardless of what a woman is wearing; I read/hear men calling other men to this quite regularly. However, just as there is clear instruction for a man not to lust, there is also clear instruction for a woman to dress modestly. The two are distinct instructions and stand alone from one another. So if I’m dressed appropriately and a man lusts after me he alone is responsible for it. If I’m not dressed appropriately and this tempts a man to lust after me it’s still his responsibility not to act on that temptation. But I then am responsible before God for not obeying the instruction to dress modestly, and therefore not acting in love toward the men around me. Men are to obey with their eyes. Women are to obey with their clothes. First motivated by love for God, then motivated by love for those around us. And, Christ-following men and women alike need to be humble enough to receive exhortation to obey what God’s Word says."

4. Abby Houston, Instagram Manager at Wholehearted Quiet Time

"I wonder what comes to mind when you think of modesty:

Does your nose crinkle up in disgust?

Are you uncomfortable?

Do you immediately think of long, denim skirts and no personality?

Or maybe, you have quiet the opposite reaction:

Maybe you grow proud, thinking you’ve mastered the art of modesty.

Maybe you walk a little straighter, looking down on others who don’t dress just as you do.

Maybe you scoff at others who don’t have such “godly” standards as you do. 

"But dear sister, if your mind goes either route, let me lovingly remind you that you should probably ask the Lord to evaluate your heart (and let me assure you, I’ve been in both camps and have had to ask the Lord to search my heart, as well). Because, friend, the Lord looks at the heart. Does the Lord care about what we wear? Absolutely. But I have to wonder, does modesty mean something more than just what we wear? Could it have more to do with our hearts than our closets? In first Peter 3, we are told that our adorning should not be external, but rather, our adorning should be “the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.” Did you catch that? In God’s sight, the beauty of the heart — a gentle and quiet spirit — is precious. And the word used for “gentle” is also transliterated as “humble.” 

"You see, dear Christian, we could wear denim from head to toe, and yet still be immodest by puffing ourselves up with pride and acting as the Pharisees did by looking down at others with what they wear. God wants our hearts to be humble before Him, for He “opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) And as our hearts are more and more conformed to His image, the more our actions will follow. We won’t want to call attention to ourselves, but rather, properly reflect His creativity and beauty in what we wear, while also taking into consideration not causing our brother to stumble. Our actions flow directly from our heart. So, dear Christian, address the heart. And ask the Lord to dress it in humility, for that is the example that He left for us: God, in the flesh, lived perfectly, as a servant, and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:1-11). And now, He’s highly exalted and risen, seated at the right hand of God the Father, and now offers salvation to all that call upon His name and trust in Him alone for salvation. If we’ve been given this as the example to follow, our perfect Savior perfectly displaying humility of heart, so should we follow. Modesty begins in the heart and trickles down into our actions. May we seek the Lord and His Spirit to transform us, for He alone can change the heart of pride to a modest, meek, and humble, truly beautiful heart." 

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Note: you may find these resources helpful: "God's High Calling for Women" by John MacArthur, "Responding to Immodest Pressure" by the Set Apart Girl Team, "Beth Moore on Modesty and Creepy Righteous Dudes" by G3 Ministries, "The Evolution of the Swimsuit" by Jessica Rey, "The Lost Art of True Beauty" by Leslie Ludy, "Answering the Guy Questions" by Leslie Ludy, "What Guys Think About Modesty" by CJ Mahaney.

1. The Set Apart Girl Team. “Responding to Immodest Pressure.” Set Apart Girl, 31 July 2014, https://setapartgirl.com/responding-immodest-pressure/. 

2. Wolgemuth, Nancy DeMoss. Twitter, 13 Feb. 2022, https://twitter.com/NancyDeMoss/status/1492909113940058115. 

Justice for the Five: Addressing the Breaking News About Possible Infanticide in D.C.

 It's hard to put into words what this week has done to my heart.

On Friday, I found myself driving to play practice with an abnormal level of adrenaline pumping through my veins. I felt driven 10/10 to do something after becoming aware of a horrific situation that recently occurred. As we rehearsed lines for the production--telling the story of Amy Carmichael and her passionate rescue of children out of human trafficking--each line made me more concerned for the people I knew were in danger. "Amy, you cannot rescue children like that! We could be prosecuted!" "I have never been afraid to fight. [...] It is a good thing to do the impossible."

Still feeling abnormal and trying to comprehend the barbarism I had seen, I took a seat in the hospital cafeteria today for my lunch break and grabbed my Bible--somehow I opened right to the book of Esther. I flipped to the passage that immediately came to mind: "Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, 'Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for some a time as this?'" (Esther 4:13-14, emphasis added).

What is my strange problem this week??? It's really not exclusive to the last few days.

Something barbaric is happening every single day.

I have been completely unable to live normally ever since becoming aware of it. 

At age thirteen, I first saw an abortion procedure online and because of that my life direction became drastically altered.

Knowing the purposeful dismemberment, poisoning and starvation of living children was happening all the time around me left my heart devastated and wordless.

That child I originally saw being dismembered when I was thirteen years old was probably around 15-18 weeks gestation. 

This week, breaking news was released that five preborn children were found near the trash outside Washington Surgi-Clinic by a DC local pro-life activist. These children were huge and were indeed viable--one baby is thought to have been 32 weeks gestation, another was 28 weeks, and another yet 26 weeks. I have looked at the graphic images of their poor, broken bodies several times since their release on Friday. I have seen images of micropreemies born at 21 and 22 weeks. They often look frail, thin and breakable. The babies who were recently aborted at the stages of 26-32 weeks look like they had been growing strong, healthy and large until their development was brought to a purposeful end. They were no micropreemies, but children who were, at one point, well nourished and well beyond the point of viability.

In the words of former abortionist Dr. Kathi Aultman who assessed the bodies of these babies: 

"[He] looks like he should have been in the nursery" [1]. 

These precious children were not in a nursery basinet, but in a biohazard container.

One of these children has her eye open and her skull cut open. This child was termed "Baby Girl #1." I can hardly fathom that Baby Girl #1--with her curious little mind that wanted to look around and see the world for herself--never viewed the arms of love or a mother's embrace, but only the gruesome abortionist's bloody tools. Her first sight outside of normal developmental life in the womb was of instruments that would soon cause her total demise and cut her curious little mind straight out of her head.

Then there was "Baby Boy #1" who was completely intact and possibly killed via an induction method. When you look at his little--yet big--body, all you see is a beautiful infant who was abandoned rather than loved. No part of his body had been dismembered; only his skin showed signs of breakdown--to the point that when assessed by several physicians, it was unclear to them exactly what method of abortion was used to kill him. Could he have been born alive then left to die? The abortionist who killed him--Cesare Santangelo--has stated on video that he is willing to leave infants to die who are born alive after he attempts to destroy them in the womb. "It's all in how vigorously you do things to help a fetus survive at this point [...] We would not help it" [2].

Cesare Santangelo, I will have you know something. Every time you end the life of an embryo or fetus in your abortion clinic, the child is not an "it." He or she is a valuable human person who is precious. Look at the hands of these five beautiful children whose development you caused to come to a stop. Peer closely at their hands--perfect little fingers that want to wrap safely around the hand of their mother, with developed fingernails protecting their fully formed nail beds. Such intricate detail on even their tiny limbs, meanwhile you have told their mothers they are not fully human but merely clumps of cells. These children have left your clinic to tell the world their heart-rending story. The world will see the infants you caused to die and maybe even those you saw born alive--those whom you perhaps watched have a rise and fall of their chest wall--clearly exhibiting respiratory effort and need for medical care so that they may live beyond this moment they "accidentally survived" your brutal acts against them. 

This killing must be stopped.

Every single day in America, 2,363 babies are aborted. 

Today we know part of the story of five of those lives who were despised and forgotten by this world.

Our war for these children, as the pro-life movement, is being waged forcefully. Despite the horrific toll of 63.5 million babies being killed since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided, we are a movement that has been achieving victories for the children. We have arrived to the year we will find out if alas the decision of death--Roe v. Wade--will be overturned by the case Dobbs v. Jackson. We feel the grief and overwhelming horror at times when we know more thoroughly what is happening to our preborn brothers and sisters--such as this week as we plead for justice for the five babies found in D.C. Yet when we find ourselves sadly in the ashes, mourning the loss of these beautiful people who could not defend themselves, we will rise again with increased vigor. We will stand up with ferocity and undaunted bravery and we will confront again the evil darkness that plagues our world. We will not stay silent and we will not be complacent. Seeing their suffering will not turn us away; rather knowing their pain more fully, we will also pursue justice for their cause more adamantly.

Amy Carmichael herself often felt the pain and challenge of fighting against horrors done to children. She called the children she sought to save her "Lotus buds." 

"All souls are His, all flowers. An alien power has possessed them, counted them his for so many generations, that we have almost acquiesced in the shameful confiscation. But neither souls nor flowers are his who did not make them. They were never truly his. They belong to the Lord of all the earth, the Creator, the Redeemer. The little Lotus buds are His--His and not another's. The children of the temples of South India are His--His and not another's. So now we go forth with the Owner Himself to claim His own possession. There is hope in the thought, and confidence and the purest inspiration. And, stirred to the very depths, as we are and must be many a time when we see the tender Lotus buds gathered by a hand that has no right to them, and crushed underfoot; bewildered and sore troubled, as the heart cannot help being sometimes, when the mystery of the apparent victory of evil over good is overwhelming: even so there will be always a hush, a rest, a repose of spirit, as we stand by the Lotus-pools of life and seek in His Name to gather His flowers" [3].

Let us seek in God's name to gather His flowers as we rise from the ashes of grief this week.

We see their needs, their pain, their wounds, and their brokenness and we resolutely refuse to run away from the fight. 

I am so grateful these children's bodies escaped the abortion clinic and trash heap so that we could see their suffering and be reminded that what is done 2,363 times every day to children must be fought and brought to a full stop.

Perhaps we were indeed born for such a time as this...born and not dismembered that we may fight for those who are dehumanized, denied any human rights and degraded by our modern society. 

Let us resolve afresh to see the unborn child as eternally worth our efforts on their behalf, and let us--with Amy--grasp the reality of our cause's horrors, and yet take action in the name of Jesus for those who go down to death nameless.

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1. Dorman, Sam. “Aborted Babies Discovered in DC May Indicate Infanticide after Attempted Abortions.” Live Action News, 1 Apr. 2022, https://www.liveaction.org/news/infant-bodies-infanticide-attempted-abortions/. 

2. Live Action Films. “Inhuman: Undercover in America's Late-Term Abortion Industry - Washington, D.C.” YouTube, 28 Apr. 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxOWyumLufA&t=24s. 

3. Carmichael, Amy, and Penn. Lotus Buds. Morgan and Scott, 1910. p.7

Real Love, Beyond Modern Dating

I recently read an article full of horrible dating advice online. It was written by a guy who thought his ability to date three women at once, chase impurity, and behave coldly in relationships were particularly remarkable skills. I was severely unimpressed. It was an important reminder of how knowing Christ must not only change some aspects of how we live, but every area of our lives is God's for the keeping once we become believers--including our love lives. 

"Does your religion have much to do with your life or are you a practical atheist?" (Mark Dever) [1]. 

It's a symptom of being distant from God and of conforming to the world when we exhibit a self-centric view of dating and marriage. If you were to embrace the low mode of living the guy from the dating article has, you would be so enraptured in meaninglessness and emptiness that you could deceive yourself into believing the lifeless expeditions of worldly love could satisfy your soul. But if you belong to Jesus Christ, you know each department of your life is for bringing God glory, not merely to make you happy. It's freeing to change the priority of our lives to ensuring that Jesus has the first place. 

"And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence" (Col. 1:8). 

Ladies, sometimes it's good to be reminded there are men out there like that--looking to have about 5 girlfriends at once and who disregard the importance of purity (and men too should beware of women who embrace ungodly views of relationships [see Prov. 7]). Let us discern and contrast a godless man like that with a man who has a genuine and thriving walk with God; a guy who has a real relationship the Lord will be ever-increasingly marked by the fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Gal. 5:22). And what is love? "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). This Valentine's Day, resolve afresh to look to the One who is Love Himself to guide all your beliefs on what love is truly meant to be. Do not allow the degraded norms of our perverse society to cause you to drop your standards. Men who only see you as a physical body or as an emotional high for their own benefit care nothing for your soul and exude red flags. A relationship with a guy like that would be lackadaisical in comparison with the epic love story in which we are already enraptured. Marriage is a picture of a grander reality--the heroic love of Jesus Christ for His bride. God is illustrating a beautiful heavenly reality via human relationships:

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband" (Ephesians 5:22-33, emphasis added).

Our modern culture of mediocrity and one-night stands has nothing on the grandeur of the love of Jesus Christ for His bride. The Lover of My Soul was so intent about His pursuit of me--and ultimately of the pursuit of His glory--that He was willing to die to save me for eternity. I don't know of a man on the entire planet who could ever begin to scrape the surface of the stunning redemption Christ worked on my behalf. Earthly relationships cannot ultimately satisfy our souls. We will always long for the God who made us; in response--if we do not turn our hearts to seek God--we chase other things we believe will fulfill us. And if it's today's dating scene you're chasing, chances are you've come back with some fresh grief, scars, and disillusionment. I know in my own life I have had painful situations with guys that have left me feeling dreary, bleak and rejected. Somehow God can take our most painful woes of lost love and use it to contrast the stunning faithfulness of His eternally unfailing love for us. When you go through disheartening experiences in relationships, let it remind you of the utter emptiness of this world and the fullness and depth of Jesus Christ. That does not mean we don't desire marriage, but rather that we know that longing first and foremost exists to turn us to the Creator of our souls, who describes Himself this way in the book of Isaiah: 

"Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your Husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, and the God of the whole earth He is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord your Redeemer" (Isaiah 54:4-8, emphasis added). 

A society of empty dating creates Instagram posts full of apparent happiness and good times, yet leaves the soul feeling empty and bankrupt. Meanwhile the culture rumors that knowing God makes one's life dull, but we who love and know Him can be found with genuine peace, continuously discovering the truth that: "In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11b). 

God's love for us is real. He is El Roi--He Sees Me (see Gen. 16:1-16). He is Jehovah Jireh--the Lord will Provide (see Gen. 22:14). He is Ishi--My Husband (Hosea 2:16). He is Jehovah Shammah--the Lord is There (Ezekiel 48:35). We have a faithful Father who watches over us, provides for us, is always present and declares Himself as the husband of our souls. He is a faithful Lover who is never approaches us with coldness, wrong motives, or earthly selfishness. He is forever Faithful and True:

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:11-16).

This is the Man pursuing you. He is the only One who deserves the first place in your life. To know we have such a pure, strong Father refreshes our perspective of earthly love--by His grace we will hold biblical standards for our relationships even in a society so direly lost. The One who is Faithful and True is the Husband of my soul, therefore, this Valentine's Day in a season of singledom, I have lasting rest for my soul. I am pursued, loved, wanted and provided for--I have what I need and I did not find it in some dating fling of the day, but in our perfectly pure and steadfastly kind King of the World. 

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1. Dever, Mark. “A Time For Seeking.” Capitol Hill Baptist Church, 16 Jan. 2022, https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/a-time-for-seeking/.