A Mother's Ordeal

Several years ago, I picked up a new released book from the library: A Mother's Ordeal: One Woman's Fight Against China's One-Child Policy, by Stephen W. Mosher.  While my children were in swim lessons, I sat by the pool each day - devouring every page.  A Mother's Ordeal is a true life story of Chi An, her journey through the Great Leap Forward, and the challenges of education and eventually becoming a nurse - forced in her profession to perform late term abortions.  Eventually, the One-Child Policy follows her to the U.S.

My thoughts were flooded by China - awakened to a world denied the freedoms I enjoyed - namely - a large family and the joy of birthing four daughters along with two sons.  For me - there was no guilt to bring daughters in this world.  Four unique young women.  Four unique smiles, four unique habits, four unique personalities, amazing gifts and talents.  I cannot imagine my world without them.

These thoughts were tucked away, surfacing now and then, - until just the other day....I received my recent issue of Christianity Today (Oct. 2011), I read with renewed interest the article, Saving China's Daughters. I found and read the testimony of Chai Ling and her journey from Tiananmen Square to the U.S. and then to Christ.  Chai Ling tells of her continued burden for China - 35,000 baby girls are aborted and 500 women commit suicide  - Every.....Single....Day.....there are no words.  Through ultrasound, baby girls are 'naturally selected' over boys for termination.  The pressure is too great for many families, especially the mothers.

"Rachel is weeping for her children;

she refuses to be comforted for her children,

because they are no more."

Jeremiah 31:15b

The cancer is spreading....not just there....but here.....I'm broadsided by a story in recent news -- Fertility Treatment Leads to Twins, then Abortion .  A mother, learning she is pregnant with twins, chooses to 'naturally select' the boy twin for termination over the girl....she already has a son, she reasons.... 

Just as Chai Ling is crying out for an end to the mother's-ordeal in the One Child Policy - let's not ignore the cancer growing in our own backyard.....our own Mother's Ordeal.  There is nothing natural about natural selection.

Thus says the LORD:

"Keep your voice from weeping,

and your eyes from tears.

...they shall come back from the land of the enemy.

There is hope for your future,"

declares the LORD
Jeremiah 31:16b, 17a