A way to help MANY

MANY of you have already seen this, but for those that haven't please read on... if even one more person hears about this here when they wouldn't have seen it otherwise, then it is worth my time to post :)

 October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month and I, along with many other SB moms, want people to be aware of just how special our kids are. We especially want to spread the news and hope that God DID NOT make a mistake when He formed our children. Every child is unique and special, and SB does not make these precious ones not worthy of life, but that is the choice that so many are pushed towards when their children are diagnosed. It's unfortunate that many moms who learn that their unborn baby will have SB, don't see their child as special or the hope that a life with SB can bring, so they choose termination. Do you ever feel like you want to do something to make a difference but you just don't quite know what to do? Well keep reading and you can see how YOU can help make a difference.

Here is your chance to do something. Something bigger than me or you. Something so powerful that it could change someones life. Something so powerful that could let unborn babies live.

This Wednesday, from 12-1pm (EST) has been declared as Spina Bifida Kids Worldwide Day of Prayer. Many of you know just how powerful prayer can be. There is no question in my mind that the hundreds of people holding Nathaniel in prayer is what has brought him so far. As of right now, there are 1347 people committed to praying. That is amazing!!!!! If you don't know what to pray, here are some specific things that you can pray:

1. Obstetricians are usually the doctors who first diagnose Spina Bifida based on a prenatal ultrasound. Unfortunately, most know very little about SB except for what to look for on the ultrasound. Many of us were told by our OBs very scary and inaccurate information, such as “Your baby will likely not survive,” “She will be a vegetable,” “Terminating is the most loving thing you can do for this baby.” If this is the first time you’ve really even heard of SB, and a doctor you trust tells you this, you’re probably going to believe it. Please pray that these doctors will be educated about the SB prognosis so that they can give the diagnosis accurately and compassionately with hope and conviction that these children deserve a right to live!

 

2. We SB moms will always remember the day we received the diagnosis as one of the most terrifying days of our lives. An initial grief response is denial, which often presents as “Please make this problem go away.” Termination is offered quickly. Please pray for these mothers and fathers, that they will first and foremost trust God to get them through this scary and uncertain time instead of letting fear guide their decisions. That God will draw near to them and make His presence known, as He did for so many of us. That these parents will be so filled with His peace about the future and love for their child that they will consider carrying the baby to term the easiest choice.

 

3. These precious babies are absolutely innocent and helpless. They are being thrown away because they are not “perfect.” Not one of us is perfect. Please pray for the lives of these babies to be spared. That each movement and kick will remind the mother that God knit that baby in her womb exactly as he or she should be. That their lives will bring glory to our Father.

4. Many of us SB parents cite the support of our family members and friends as the biggest comfort during the time right after receiving the diagnosis. But there are also families and friends who are unsupported and even encouraging of termination. Please pray for these family members and friends, that God will use them to minister healing to the parents’ breaking hearts. That they will be wholly supportive, not hurtful, and they will lift up and help these parents as their raise their child.

 

5. I also ask that you pray for each of these children and people who have made it successfully to this life and walk every day with a variety of medical needs. I specifically ask for prayer for the medical community that they treat these individuals as just that, INDIVIDUALS, who need specific care, not cookie cutter care.

6. And finally I ask that you lift up each parent of a SB individual. These parents have made the courageous, and sometimes very difficult choice to raise their children, many to the glory of God, and they need to be help up in prayer for continued strength and encouragement.

An hour of your time is all it takes to help make a difference. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, just pray. And know that you could could help a mother choose life for her unborn baby.

 

*I don't often get a chance to share pictures of Nat's journey through the years... this was a fun opportunity to show where he has come from and remind each of you that there are journey's worth taking. Please pray with us!*