Wow! It happened. The Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, sending the issue back to the states. Now what? Of course, I’m old enough to know a Supreme Court reversal is pretty significant. Especially since I don’t remember another one in my lifetime. Abortion: legal or illegal? Is abortion political or personal?
Sadly, I suspect the abortion conversation is one we’ll have for awhile in this country. Apparently, politicians find abortion an irresistibly inflammable topic to stir passion.
Fortunately, I believe more of us agree than disagree on this topic. If you wonder how I could say such a thing, you probably missed my video on what the political spectrum REALLY looks like.
My Abortion Story
Recently, a friend discovered this video conversation from 2020. I was so happy she reminded me about the interview. It seems particularly relevant now.
Since this interview, B.J. took a job with Redemption Press and my friend, Athena Dean Holtz. Redemption Press published B.J.’s book, Unwanted No More. Athena wrote the book, Full Circle. Both women are familiar with trauma and so come at every issue with a great deal of compassion.
Naturally, B.J. did a great job of asking questions to get to the heart of why abortion is such a personal issue for me. I hope what I share here will help you in some way.
In this video, B.J. gets me talking with some very personal questions. At the time, I knew talking about my abortion in public is always a personal challenge, but I had no idea how very glad I would be to have this out there for hurting men and women to find. (Shout out to B.J.: Thank you, friend!!)
Do Adoptive Parents Get a Vote?
Another dear friend posted a great article mon Facebook, beginning with how it feels to be adopted in an era when so many, like me, have experienced abortion. I think you will love his wisdom and heart about how to have better conversations. Even when complex topics afford plenty of room for differing viewpoints.
Just so you know, Mark House happens to be one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. He didn’t get that way by closing his mind. The guy can think. And listen. And process lots of information.
Seriously, I recommend reading the whole article since, as always, Mark raises tons of great points. But here’s a short quote:
“First, we return to actual conversations about a difficult topic, neither simple nor easy. Catastrophizing on both sides is now being seen for what it was – polarizing. Roe allowed us to be joined only by Iran and China to allow babies to be partially born… and killed. Roe – and NO limits meant the U.S. was aligned with the globe’s worst human rights offenders. And saying that life is inviolate at conception, with even the legitimate health of the mother to be ignored is equally dogmatic. That stalemate served the parties, fundraising, but really no one else…” ~Mark House on Facebook, July 1.
Abortion: Legal or Illegal?
State by state, abortion will again become a national debate as elections approach. Sigh.
Therefore, I gotta wonder, is now the right time to ask, “Why do we have laws at all?”
Try asking your elected officials, “What is the purpose of law?” Usually, they look at me like I’m from another planet (which might explain a few things). Believe me, I have asked every politician I know and there are tons of them in our small community. They never seem to know the answer. EVER.
Eventually, I want to blog about why we even have laws. I am working on that article now. Please pray; I’m kinda nervous to put my thoughts on paper. I keep wondering what I’m missing. Why isn’t this obvious?
Finally (for now), here’s a little more insight from the experts we’ve interviewed so far specifically on abortion.
More Podcasts from Women About Abortion From Fireside Talk Radio
- How Abortion Affects the Church and Community: Her Wisdom with CARE Executive Director B.J. Garrett
- Compassion Please, One Beloved Doctor’s Story of Abortion with Dr. Grace English
- Compassion, Please! Healing After Abortion with Dr. Grace English, Her Wisdom
As I mentioned in the video, feel free to reach out if you’re suffering because of an abortion. I understand. I won’t judge or condemn.
And know that you are loved.
🙂
cathy
May we pray together?
Dear good Father, each time I talk about abortion I’m reminded I have a 40+ year old child I never got to hold. Right now there are hurting women all over this country. Some of them will not be able to say the word abortion without feeling like they may vomit. Many are so hurt, they are infuriated. Passions are high and pain is palpable. Oh, how we need You in this moment! May Your beautiful Spirit guard our hearts. Keep our minds true to Your love and compassion. Give us empathy where we hurt. Teach us to forgive and comfort ourselves as we forgive and comfort each other. We need wise leaders in this crucial moment in history. May Your mercy and justice reign, Your will be done. Bless us now because it is Your heart’s desire to bless the ones You love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
We LOVE to hear from YOU!
When have politically charged arguments kept you from speaking up? Has there been a moment when you went ahead and spoke up anyway? In what ways do you manage your passion so you don’t hurt others with your opinion?
Better Conversations
I wrote two books so far on better conversations.
If abortion is so difficult you don’t know what to say, here’s help on having great conversations no matter the topic. I bet you’ll find my book, The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations very helpful. In it, I analyze how Jesus put aside objections to focus on the individual.
Jesus took one woman from isolated to influential in one conversation. She immediately changed her whole community. Also, I go in-depth into the Biblical reasons Christian leaders should listen to women. Powerful! You don’t want to miss this!
Then, Marriage Conversations is about how to spark better conversations on any topic with your hubby and your whole family. Life-changing stuff.
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Cathy Krafve, host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversation: From Coexisting to Cherished. Your stories, ideas, and questions welcomed here!
John, thanks for writing in. I’m glad to hear your comment and I hope you don’t mind that I replaced (edited) a couple of words so I could keep your thought here. I like that you can be humorous even on such a hard topic, btw. Again, thanks for taking the time to tune in; it means alot!
Silly…. if you dont want a kid cover up the (edited part of the body) and no easy way out if you get a kid own up to it then just don’t want to (edit) it out