Do all things with love

Saint Mother Theresa was an example of what one person can accomplish in the world with faith and love.  Many of us will never have the opportunity to reach large numbers of people in our lives. However, we all have chances to make a difference in the lives of those we encounter each day. One way is to remember that all things done with love can have a huge, positive impact.  A smile can make the day brighter for family, friends, strangers, co-workers and enemies  Active listening to the concerns of others may be the most important part of your day. Forgiveness creates hope.

Gifts of the heart and soul don't cost money--just time, love and empathy.  

I love my baby but I need help

I have empathy for mothers who experience an unplanned pregnance.  A planned pregnancy is hard enough to deal with financially, emotionally and psychologically without the stress of being thrown out of your home. Some women have been raped, have a boyfriend, sexual partner or husband putting pressure on them to "have an abortion or get rid of it". Life is difficult when your body is changing, emotions are fluctuating, psychologically you are abandoned by family, friends, clergy and you are now responsible for another human being.  Where will you live, how will you finish school and work enough to pay for a proper diet, how will you finance medical care, how can you care for an infant when you are having financial problems now?  Everyone tells you different things. "Have an abortion, don't have an abortion, you will never have a future, a baby is wonderful and you will have someone to love you, babies are crying, burping, screaming, pooping and eating disasters, etc."

Most woman love their unborn child. They are overwhelmed and confused.  No one tells this mother that an abortion will remain in her heart and soul for the rest of her life.  She may cry every year at the anticipated due date for the baby who will never be born.  The process of the the procedures for both the baby and the mother can produce guilt, anxiety and future health issues for mothers, fathers, grandparents, healthcare workers and society.  It is not the easy out that many mothers anticipate.  Fathers who have not been consulted may experience extreme sadness and grief at the loss of a part of themselves. Potential adoptive families cry because they want a family and can't have their own baby for one reason or another. The baby needs to be wanted instead of discarded.  

Limiting abortion clinics is not the cure for this dilemma. It takes a "village to raise a child" is a popular concept.  It takes a society to help to "birth a child".  Mothers with an unplanned pregnancy many times want to have the baby live. They need a support system of their families, friends, church members, government programs, society, and significant others to help them to have a healthy child. If mothers had help with emotional and psychological problems, an income, a place to live, medical care and educational opportunities, counseling and options for the future life of their baby, they would not need an abortion.  We have to give pregnant moms viable options to create a healthy life.  It is not just the pregnant mother's responsibility.  It is not the responsibility of the president or laws.  It is the responsibility of all of us to make abortion a low choice and all of us love the babies!

Judgement

This is a poem I have saved for years.

I dreamt death came the other night
And Heaven's gate opened wide.
An Angel with a halo bright

And there to my astonishment
Stood folks I'd judged and labeled
As "quite unfit" of "little worth"
and "spiritually disabled."

Indignant words rose to my lips
but never were set free
For every face showed stunned surprise,
Not one expected me.
                                     Lulu Williams
                                      Age 107

It is very easy to judge.  It is much harder to take time to see beyond the facade of makeup, clothing, attitude, race, economic status, country of origin, sexual orientation, religion, and social standing to find the unique person that is loved and valued by God.  He is the only and final judge.  Who am I to cast the first stone?  Love, acceptance, compromise and respect are the keys to peace and prosperity.

The Horse Who Cared

I was on a plane and met a gentleman,"John", in a seat across from mine. We were sharing about our families and I showed him my book.  The stories prompted him to divulge a story of his own.

John's daughter, "Marissa" owned four show horses and would ride them in competition throughout the United States.  Marissa knew a woman who had a therapeutic riding stable.  One day, a gentleman came who was extremely disabled due to depression.  He would not commumicate with anyone except the horse he was assigned to.  Often he would cry in despair.  On this particular day, the man dismounted from his horse and sat on the ground as he sobbed into his hands.  The horse laid down next to him and layed his head in the man's lap as the man's tears flowed uncontrollably.

This man received a gift from God through one of his creatures.  The gift of unconditional love, compassion and active listening.  If a horse can give this act of mercy, how much more can we give as one person to another?  We can't save the world, but we can be present for those around us.