Elizabeth Warren celebrates her birthday at an interesting location
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) interests me. She has a tremendous passion for what she believes, but sometimes she makes me wonder.
This week she celebrated her birthday, which, at my age, is getting to be a bigger deal each year. I’m sure she’s happy for each new birthday as well. But her celebration took place at Planned Parenthood. I’m no genius, but while Sen. Warren celebrates another year of life, isn’t a bit ironic that she would choose a location where . . . never mind.
Sen. Warren, a presidential candidate, did provide some Orwellian verbiage at the event, pledging to fight for something called, “Reproductive Justice.” Someone smart will have to help me with the definition.
On the other side of the coin . . .
I follow Unplanned actress Ashley Bratcher on Twitter, and noticed her family’s latest vacation, to Disney World. Apparently, some pro-life activists excoriated her, leading her to make a video defending—of all things—a vacation.
You can be #prolife AND love Disney.
— Ashley Bratcher (@_AshleyBratcher) June 23, 2019
Re: the hate I’ve received on my Instagram from more prolifers for going to Disney than prochoicers for making Unplanned.
The most important thing the prolife movement is lacking is... pic.twitter.com/t0eBFr9PgF
Bratcher pointed out—rightly—that the pro-life community needs more unity. She’s right on this.
Perhaps we would be a stronger bunch if some spent more energy encouraging instead of “correcting.”
Switching Sides
Speaking of Unplanned, we all know the movie is Abby Johnson’s biography of leaving the abortion industry for the life-affirming community. She, along with her And Then There Were None outreach, connects with hundreds of abortion workers, giving them a way out of the industry.
This will lead to more stories of those leaving abortion for life-affirming ministry.
Which begs the question, “How many leave pro-life pregnancy help ministries to join the abortion industry?” Bueller? Anyone?
And another question: “If the abortion industry is so wonderful and loving, and pro-life work is nothing but harassment and hostility, why aren’t these numbers switched?”
Where are all the “horror” stories of women who escaped working as a volunteer or staff member in a vicious pregnancy help center? Seems like news outlets would have dug up a few of these stories by now, and they would be airing on cable news every night. Hasn’t happened. Things that make you go, “Hmmm.”
Leaving Pregnancy Help Organizations
The truth, however, is we do have some leaving our organizations. Sometimes the reason is a new calling and when God calls, we should celebrate. Other times, however, the reason for leaving is simple. Money. Yikes.
This isn’t to advocate for exorbitant salaries. We join the pregnancy help community because of calling and passion—not because of dollars and cents.
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Yet too often, we let budgets and the “we’re only a ministry” mentality keep us from providing strong compensation to those who serve on the front line.
Here’s a thought: What if our organizations and ministries set a goal to never lose an employee because of salaries and benefits? It’s not to say we match every offer, but far too many dedicated servants leave us because our pay scales don’t work for many family budgets. The stress over second jobs and pinching pennies is overwhelming when combined with the stresses of connecting with people in full-on crisis every day.
Let’s alleviate the financial issues. It can be done, if we make it a priority.
Last Randomness Epiphany
In West Virginia some “choice” organization decided its best avenue of attack is to create false reviews online against pregnancy help ministries. For a moment, let’s cede their point—but only to ask a question.
Let’s assume then, that we are bad news. Okay, fine.
My question: “Do these groups creating false reviews believe women who actually visited our centers are too stupid to post a review?”
Women—and men, by the way--review everything from restaurants to hotels, to books, babysitters, professors and doctors. What is the massive obstacle keeping women from reviewing their visit to pregnancy help centers?
Another question which makes me say, “Hmmm.”
Quote of the Day: “Whenever we celebrate any life, it’s a great day.” –Well, I said it just then. But someone probably said this before me. Oh, and I needed a closing quote.
