November 14, 2005

 

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…

--Deuteronomy 30:19

 

Several years ago, I picked up the newspaper only to discover a terrific article on an individual that I admire perhaps as much as anyone I’ve ever met—Tom Landry. Known for being a fantastic football coach for the Dallas Cowboys, leader of men, and dedicated Christian, he was also inducted into the Ring of Honor several years ago. But I read with keen interest the story of Coach Landry and his daughter, Lisa.

 

The article told the story of Lisa Landry-Childress. Lisa, her husband—Gary, and her parents learned that she had developed a malignant tumor on her liver early in her pregnancy. She decided against an abortion, which would have allowed her to receive chemotherapy treatments immediately. A strong faith guided the Landry’s through some shaky months, but the child was delivered by cesarean section six weeks early. Shortly after that, Lisa underwent a successful liver transplant.

 

Lisa Landry-Childress later said, “This baby was a blessing—a gift to me. If it wasn’t meant to be, God would take care of it. It wasn’t my right to deny this gift.” Christina, now happy and healthy, is loved dearly by her family for the blessing that she is. That family had such faith and determination in this crisis.

 

There are tough choices that women and their families have to make in America today. And of the greater choices in life, certainly the issue of choosing the sanctity of life over death and abortion is of the most personal and important kind. If you have gone through an abortion yourself or you know someone who has, there is no room for condemnation. Forgiveness and healing waits for you, and the Lord wants to cradle you in his arms.

 

CHOOSE LIFE.