“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19
On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute banning abortion, effectively legalizing the procedure across the United States. It is estimated that over 60 million babies have been aborted in the U.S. since that day! Canada has not fared much better. The law banning abortion was struck down in 1988 as unconstitutional, and Canada is now one of only a few countries that have absolutely no restrictions on abortion. We have become a culture of death.
In a State of the Union address this past Tuesday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump stated: “Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life. And let us reaffirm a fundamental truth: all children – born and unborn – are made in the holy image of God.” In an address to the nation of Israel near the end of his life, Moses stated: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death … therefore choose life!”
We, as a congregation, today have the incredible privilege of seeing Eleanor Ruth Whittle (Baby Ella) be presented to the God who knit her together, exactly as He intended, in her mother’s womb! Mara chose life, because she is convinced that there are no mistakes in God’s plan! What may appear as a tragic misfortune to the world, is within the determined will and perfect purposes of a loving Heavenly Father. No one knows exactly how long Ella will live, but Mara and the family today are declaring that for as long as they are given the extraordinary privilege of caring for this unique child of God, they will love her and point her to the God who created her, and who loves her so much that He sent His own beloved Son to the death of the cross, so that Ella may enjoy an eternity of perfection with Him!
Dear Mara and Whittle family, thank-you for choosing life! May God continue to grant you all the daily grace and strength you require to care for this precious gift of God – baby Ella!