Disposable people and those who choose to honor and save them.
Are we our "brother's keeper" and what does it mean? To what lengths are we as a people willing to sacrifice to save the "least of these"?
When it comes to Governor Palin and Senator Obama the answer could not be any clearer. One is willing to sacrifice and one is not...one values the tiniest of heartbeats and one does not. You could say their values are separated by the ability to hear the voice of a beating heart.
I have come to observe, for the most part, that we live in a disposable society, where the intrinsic value of human life seems to have lost its way. In sharp contrast, I have personally spent the last several years of my life writing to the beauty of how our Creator--our Father in Heaven sees us...what He thinks about us. With utmost humility I have endeavored to capture His thoughts in a book chronicling What God Thinks When He Whispers Your Name to encourage those He loves; you and I.
God often speaks in a still, quiet voice I like to call a "God Whisper." It is the whispers of His heart that have brought me to reflect on the value of life as it relates to two babies with Down syndrome the forefront of the news today. And the very fact that we are discussing both; one aborted in 2005...one born in 2008 proves all are valuable and none are forgotten by God. Though years apart they are now inexorably connected by events surrounding our upcoming elections.
First there is the infamous story about a baby boy with Down syndrome who survived a botched abortion and was held by Jill Stanek in her arms for some forty-five minutes until his life ebbed away. Jill intervened as a co-worker was taking the baby to place it in Soiled Utility Room to die alone. Jill Stanek, according to her own testimony, could not bear letting the child die unattended. Out of compassion and a tender heart she held God's precious creation until he breathed his last. She carefully wrapped him in a tiny shroud and took him to the hospital morgue.
Secondly, there is the beautiful contrasting birth of a special baby boy with Down syndrome, named Trig Paxson Van Palin, born to Governor Sarah Palin and Todd Palin in April of 2008. Though Sarah and Todd felt the revelation of Trig's special needs to be "very, very challenging" they chose life and not death. They did not bend to the seemingly prevalent views shouted by the "left" and those who despise life...those who honor selfishness over sacrifice...often considering the choice to protect life as some kind of punishment.
Sarah Palin, like I, heard "God Whisper." The Anchorage Daily News reported this;"In a letter she e-mailed to relatives and close friends Friday after giving birth, Palin wrote, "Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this." She wrote it in the voice of and signed it as "Trig's Creator, Your Heavenly Father."
"Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world you live in down there on Earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome," Palin wrote.
"As for people who think a baby like Trig shouldn't even be born, look around, the governor wrote. Who is perfect or even normal?"
Two babies...two different circumstances...two different values which brings me to several thoughts worth contemplating...questions worth asking.
What did the Creator, Father God, whisper about the baby Jill Stanek held in her arms. Does He attribute the same value to an aborted a baby with Down syndrome as He does to one given the opportunity to live a productive life? I say "yes" to both questions.
As I contemplated God's great love I could hear the Father saying to one ten inch baby about the size of a hand, "I think you are perfect." In fact, He cared so much He sent someone to hold him in their embrace." Not all babies who survive failed abortion attempts are afforded the same luxury, but it does not mean they are imperfect, unwanted or uncared for. The Father loves each one and I believe their guardian angels are sent to attend them and usher them into the Father's presence.
Just as the Palin family think Trig is perfect, our Father in Heaven thinks the same about every baby in every womb regardless of whether the world thinks it is perfect or not. And the Palin family is not alone in their beliefs or sacrifice.
Take Albert and Deidre Pujols who gave birth to a child with Down syndrome named Isabella. Not only did they give birth but they started the Pujols Family Foundation to honor God and the dignity of human life. Their website is dedicated to the love, care and development of people with Down syndrome and their families. Like the Palin family, they listened to the whispers of God's heart and acted accordingly.
You see, God does not look on the outside, but instead, looks on the heart. Ask Jodi Erickson Tada if life can be productive. As for those with Down syndrome, you might want to ask them: Jane Cameron, Michael Jurogue Johnson, Bernadette Resha, and Jacob Halpin just to mention a few and see what they think about the value of life.
In the political discourse of the day words by the "left" have declared we must be our "brother's keeper," yet, they consider life disposable and do not advocate for the least of these who do not have the freedom of choice. The "left" so called champions of the downcast, the poor, minorities, illegal aliens, gay rights and even the prisoners of Guantanamo Bay fall short in protecting the unborn who have no way to speak for themselves except we speak for them.
One baby with Down syndrome held by Jill Stanek was and is still considered by the "left" unworthy of receiving medical attention when having the audacity to survive an abortion. How do we know?
Consider Senator Barak Obama's own words, words he still advocates.His words about the Born Alive Infant Protection Act according to The Illinois Conservative Review reverberated through the legislative halls of Illinois and declared, "What we are doing here is to create one more burden on women, and I can't support that."
Simply stated, to call in a doctor or to give medical attention would not do." What more can you say? There is more. Just ask NARAL, Pro Choice America.
Another baby with Down syndrome, born to Governor Sarah Palin and her husband by the name of Trig, is considered a beautiful gift capable of giving joy to the whole family. Trig, because of the belief in the sanctity of life, now has a chance to enter the annals of all those gone before him who have lived incredibly productive lives. The "Whispers of Heaven" for Trig's life and purpose placed in his mother's heart now have a chance to flourish.
There is a sharp contrast between the McCain/Palin ticket and the Obama/Biden ticket. One embraces life and one does not. There is an even sharper contrast, one worthy of considering when we stand in the voting booth. It is the tale of two babies with Down syndrome, one who died and one who lived.
When it comes to Senator Barak Obama, somehow the words "we are our brother's keeper" resounds through the halls of this political season with a hollow ring while the quiet whisper to Sarah Palin's heart has produced a sound which proclaims throughout this land, "I think you are perfect!"
I agree with your story, and have had very similar thoughts. The 2 babies are intertwined in a way that makes sense only in politics. I do wish, however, that you had used People First Language. You would be surprised at the power of words. Saying "Baby WITH Down syndrome" makes them a baby, a person, a human being, before their disability is ever mentioned. A "Down syndrome baby" puts the weight of who they are on their disability. Imagine how much more powerful this article could be if that simple change were made? The more we change the perceptions of the world, make them SEE our kids, the more allies we will have to stand and fight beside us. Thank you, for speaking up for children like mine.
Michelle, with the help of someone who knows more than I about this helped me and I changed the language through out the piece on my website...trying to figure out how to edit the piece here...blessings Brenda
To all who read this I have made corrections on my website and will correct here when I figure out how...blessings Brenda
here's the deal - folks. It's taxes. All of the things we hope and pray for for our children, taxes. Republicans SAY they do Gods work, but they refuse health care, raise their own pay 3 times in 8 years, while raising minimum wage...none. They give you lovely mouth pieces like billow really and the now infamous (though still popular among the right wing conservatives), Mike Savage. They cut funding to schools, pay to teachers, and all of those tax cuts they brag about, come right out of the services aimes at the LEAST OF THEM. And Barack Obama is being taken out of context, nothing new for right wing extremest. Your wants and needs for your child ARE the SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS that the republicans SO DEPLOUR. oh, and PS - mccain is running against Obama, NOT PALIN.
In an age of record deficits and property taxes it is amazing that anyone would accuse the Republicans of cutting programs, esp. John McCain. Please, rather than using generalities that could apply to Democrats or Republicans consider giving the list of specific examples where any politician cut funding to the "least of them". Concerning Barack Obama, we have all the documents, we've listened to the full audio of his statements and have a documented trail of his misrepresentations. What do you mean taken out of context?