Letter to my son

Exactly 4 years ago your father and I sat in the OB/GYN office watching your 6 week old heart beating on an ultrasound machine. My heart was so excited and nervous at the same time. While in that small exam room, I said to you daddy; "We never did any genetic counseling, I pray that this little one does not have Spina Bifida". Upon hearing my comment, Dr.B proceeds to say, "Oh, don't worry about it. You can ALWAYS TERMINATE". My heart broke as her words stabbed me. My knee jerk reaction statement to her was "I do not believe in murdering my child- did you not just see a heartbeat?!" Oh son, our doctor was ready to murder you before we even had a chance to rejoice in your beating heart. We went on to find out that most people have a 1% chance of having Spina Bifida and you had a 3% chance. So for a 3% chance, our culture would rather murder a child than embrace one with a disability. Noah, this world of ours is so beautiful and so sick. You daddy and I would love you the same if could not walk, hear, see, think, eat, or function. Our love for you is mirrored (but can never be as great) as Jesus' love for us. The world will tell you that you are a chauvinistic man if you do not "allow" a woman to "abort" (aka murder or take the life of) her unborn child. Our culture tells men that babies are responsibility of the mothers and by all means if that baby is killed then they do not have to have any parental responsibility either. Please do not give in to this son. Please know that women all over the world are seeking men to support them, to love them and their unborn children, to recognize that these pregnancies are often a "burden" or "unwanted", but please come alongside of them and support them. When I look back on my childhood and see the example that Uncle Darryl sets for us, my heart knows that being born with a disability is better than not being born at all. Uncle Darryl lives his life to shine God's grace and despite never being able to walk, over 70 intensive surgeries, not being able to do what all of his friends do, and so on-- he is grateful to be alive. God created Him, God sustains him, and God fulfills him. Sweet son, you are so loved, just the way you are. I pray that you grow up in a world where people love sinners but hate sin. Where we Christians who claim to know Christ will not claim to promote murder with the same lips. Where people will see Christ in us and not us doing a poor job of showing His grace. Love others son, forgive those who do wrong, love yourself just as God has made you, and support and lead the world around you. You and your sister are unbelievably loved and cherished. I praise God for you are fearfully and wonderfully made! Love, Your mommy. P.S. This is the reason why I work at the pregnancy center. To offer moms in crisis pregnancies a chance at salvation and redemption, material and emotional support, and skills they need to either create an adoption plan or parent their little ones. Thanks for always having a joyful heart about coming to work with me... you are my inspiration. Oh, one last thing. I sure wish Dr. B was with us at the library yesterday when you said to the librarian "can you find me a book about how oxygen works in my body".