Day 97: Maternal Devotion: Sheltering Assisting Moms During Pandemic

DAY 97

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

WEEK FOURTEEN: FRIDAY 19 JUNE 2020

Maternal Devotion: Sheltering Assisting Moms During Pandemic

“The coronavirus pandemic may be new, but pro-life organizations are no strangers to big challenges. ‘When 9/11 happened, that was a trying time for our organization as well,‘ said Madge Osborn, executive director of Pacific Pregnancy Clinic in Coos Bay, Oregon. “But you know what? God has never failed us. We’re just going to trust him … We’ve had clients that are struggling with what to do with their pregnancy now: ‘He was working, but now he’s not. How are we going to support a baby?’ We had one that just said, ‘Forget it: I’m going to have the baby. This was the plan. We’re not going to abort the mission.” - From a recent article by the same title in a Christian newspaper

An unborn human being at the moment of conception is oblivious to the external circumstances of timing, economics and historical context like the present pandemic as if, really, there were ever any ‘safe’ or ‘convenient’ time to have a baby. Egg and sperm have met and the spark of life from the Creator has joined their union from that moment on, someone known by name to God: “This is what the Lord says – he who created you, … he who formed you … ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1.

From the ‘perspective’ of an unborn child, nothing is any different than if this were the best of times, but from the perspective of expecting parents the circling coronavirus compounded by  job and income loss can make this the worst of times. According to Kim Hagan of CareNet Pregnancy Centers of Southern Maryland, “Our calls from pregnant women considering an abortion have skyrocketed 150% since the pandemic began.” If that hurts to hear out of concern for all involved – unborn child and parents, how it must hurt the heart of God for whom all of life is his personal property. All this makes the Incarnation all the more remarkable: ”’The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” “… what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit … and they will call him Immanuel – which means, ‘God with us.’” -  Luke 1:35. Matthew 1:20,23. And He is.

Reflective question: You once lived in a womb – so did God. How do you think this helped form who you are?

Reflective Scripture: Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image…”

Reflective hymn:

“We Praise You, O God” - Julia Cory (1882-1963)

We worship you, God of our fathers and mothers;

Through trial and tempest our guide you have been.

When perils o’ertake us, you will not forsake us,

And with your help, O Lord, our struggles we win.