but a recent convo here got me thinking about the whole abortion debate. When I was growing up, I was always pro-life. My Mom (who ironically enough was an obstetrical nurse) was pro-choice. I couldn't understand that at all. How could someone who's whole life's work is bringing babies into the World be FOR abortion???

I argued (in all of my teenage wisdom) the facts of the terrible, awful things that happen in abortion and that it's a human life that's being taken. She wasn't being swayed, but not because she was pro-abortion. Most people fail to understand what a huge gap there is between supporting the right to CHOOSE and choosing abortion. They are so hyper focused on the ABORTION part of it, that they completely miss the CHOICE part.

As I got older, it made more sense. I know my Mom would never have had an abortion, nor would she ever counsel or encourage someone she knew to do such a thing - but she wasn't about to tell someone they couldn't or shouldn't if they believed that to be their best (or only) option. We can't walk in someone else's shoes, nor can we take responsibility for the outcome if continuing an unwanted pregnancy turns out badly.

I actually had to comtemplate such a horrible "choice" when I was pregnant with my second son. We found out early in my pregnancy that my husband had some health issues that could potentially affect our unborn son. Even though I'd waited almost five years for the chance to have another baby, I struggled with whether or not it was fair to bring a baby into the World that I knew was going to have to face some pretty daunting health challenges. Was I being selfish to give him a life like that just so I could have another baby? Would my choice cause him to have a miserable, pain-filled life? Luckily, I was determined that the fact he was there was reason enough for me to keep going.

Today, he is a perfectly healthy (albeit a handful!) little boy and I thank God for him every day. But I can't help but think of what I would have done if the odds had been much worse and I hadn't at least had the option to end that pregnancy. How would I feel now if he WAS miserable and in pain every day of his life?

I watched a great show (which I've mentioned before) called 30 Days with Morgan Spurlock. In the series people with diametrically opposed backgrounds are brought together to experience the other's life and (hopefully) come away with a little more understanding.

One lady lived in a Christian mother's shelter that was run by a group of pro-life advocates for a month. She was staunchly pro-choice (again, NOT pro-abortion!). The thing that struck me is that this woman went into the experience with an open mind and attempted to understand the mindset of her hosts. But when she asked legitimate questions to try and understand better, she was usually met with little explanation and a LOT of rhetoric.

Further, the hosts (a minister and his wife who ran the shelter) were deadset on changing the woman's mind and refused to listen to her, no matter how much compelling evidence she provided.

Ultimately, the woman walked away having more respect for the pro-lifer's stance, but still holding firmly to her pro-choice beliefs. The hosts, seemed visibly disappointed that they hadn't managed to "convert" her way of thinking and rather sarcastically commented that they would be praying for her.

Personally, I don't believe ANY pregnancy is an accident. The fact that we can create another life, to me, is nothing short of amazing. Something like that could never be a mistake.