Sobering thoughts

It's difficult to stroll in someone else's shoes.

Nine and a half times out of ten, Esquire magazine is well worth ignoring. This isn't to say they market well toward their readership. If you happen to be a male looking to boost your worldly portrayal of masculinity via outdoor cookery, latest fashions, and ogling a few curvy damsels, it could be exactly what you're looking for.

Every once in a while an article rises to the top.

The September 09 issues contains an article titled The Last Abortion Doctor, which is about the last doctor in the U.S. who performs late term abortions, Dr. Warren Hern. He is the last one because his colleague, Dr. George Tiller, was murdered on May 31, 2009.

John Richardson, who wrote the article for Esquire, sucks the reader in from the first paragraph. He takes the unique approach of writing in the first person, present tense. To me, it felt as if I were waiting in the lobby, waiting for sporadic interview moments and listening to the commotion of a women's health clinic.

For most of my adult life I would have eagerly jumped on the pro-life band wagon. I'll even admit feeling a bit of self indulgent, grim satisfaction on hearing news of abortion clinic bombings or murders. One less baby killer, I could quietly say to myself, and clearly there was no blood on my hands.

As the years have passed, and I've learned to view both sides of an issue, my heart has softened. Today I stand firmly planted in the middle of the issue where, I believe, most sensible people, admittedly or not, would find themselves as well.

This is not the forum to try and sway opinion one way or the other. Frankly, my mind is not strong enough, or my will resolved enough to debate. Instead, I encourage you to read the article in Esquire, September 2009, with an open mind and open heart. I also encourage you to read Dr. Hern's essay titled What about us? Staff reactions to D&E (http://www.drhern.com/pdfs/staffrx.pdf). These two works give a quick and honest look into the life of abortion clinic workers.

Here is what I would like to see from Shawn's World:

No one will deny that D&E abortion is a frightening procedure. Doctor Hern would likely be the first to tell you, and he would be closely followed by those who assist him. Despite what extremists in groups like Operation Rescue (www.operationrescue.org) would present to you, clinic workers are people just like you and me. The things they see deeply trouble them but they see it as their duty to perform. They literally risk their lives to do their job.

As horrifying as it may be to the workers, it is equally horrifying to the women and men who have to go see them. Most of them suffer a great deal over their decisions. Some have learned of an uncorrectable malformation in their fetus. Others have learned that their fetus died within the womb and must be removed. I have been blessed to witness the birth of all four of my children and shared in all the joys and anguish through the pregnancy process. I have also seen the intense suffering of women and men who have lost their children either in the womb or freshly out of it. It is not an experience I wish on anyone.

My obligation as a citizen of planet earth and a follower of Immanuel is to mitigate suffering wherever I can. I do not have the luxury of choosing whose suffering I will try to sooth or whose spirit I will try to lift.

In Shawn's World there seems to be only one, simple solution. Simple to see, difficult to do.

Both of these groups need to comforted and supported and covered with prayer. I have to resolve to offer the same understanding ear and loving heart to the woman leaving the clinic after an abortion, the man, if any, who is with her, and the workers in the clinic - particularly the one with the grimmest task of them all: the doctor. At the same time I need to be involved, in whatever part of my world I can influence, in sharing with people the real consequences of irresponsible sex.

The underlying responsibility of any follower of Christ is to share the love of God with others. Standing on one side of the aisle or the other and sending vitriolic words and deeds will not demonstrate any love at all. This will only make the opposing side escalate their vitriol. Standing in the middle and speaking words of love and kindness will do no good at all. People on one side or the other will only hate me for not being on their side and they will twist my words to fit their own meaning. I can only stand in the middle and help. If people see my heart through my deeds, then neither will be able to claim me for their own, or claim I am opposed to them. Instead, some will feel ashamed and offer to come help in the work. Others will still hate, but The Father will deal with their hearts.

I'm ready to roll up my sleeves.

Are you?