When we lost our fourth baby to miscarriage a few years ago, I realized that our culture doesn’t know
how to deal with miscarriage. Every other woman I talked to for the first two weeks after losing the
baby said they had experienced the same thing. As we talked about it and processed together, it was
clear that most of the women never really dealt with the loss of their child. Many of the women never
even thought of the miscarriage as a child to mourn.
One woman said, “You’re the first person to acknowledge that I lost a baby. Most people just called it
tissue or a procedure.” The reality of how people view life before birth is a dark shadow that has been
cast from a society that has legalized the genocide of thousands of babies. In most circles, abortion isn’t
talked about as genocide or murder, because it makes people feel uncomfortable and guilty. How can
someone affirm the choice to end a child’s life through abortion and turn around and mourn with a
friend who has lost a baby in miscarriage or celebrate with a relative at a baby shower? It is definitely
not right, but it is also inconsistent and lacks integrity.
Instead of wasting time judging others, let’s use what we know about the importance of each life to
train our children. Let’s help our children see that God loves and has a purpose for every life. Let’s train
them that we aren’t on this earth to serve ourselves or be comfortable, but to represent Him, giving up
our lives for others – which is often very uncomfortable. When our children experience the death of a
loved one, let’s help them process the loss and the importance of honoring each life in light of God’s
love for that person. As we teach our children the truth, we can help them learn how to live and share
that truth, as well.
No one is disposable. This includes the people not yet born, the elderly, those with special needs, and
the people we don’t like or agree with. All of us are made in God’s image and loved by Him. Our
children need to know that to know their value and the value of every life God has made.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16
What can you do with your children to help them understand each life is precious?