In 1973 a young lady by the name of Norma McCorvey became a political pawn in a legal controversy that still rages today. On one side of the issue are those who are "pro-choice." This Orwellian language of double speak is a clever term to cover the deliberate destruction of an unwanted pregnancy by terminating the life of a growing child in the womb of a woman.

On the other side of the issue are those who are "pro-life." This term is not ambiguous. It is not a clever word to cover deceit. The term argues plainly for a desire to see the developing child in the womb come to full term and be born into the world to waiting arms of love.

Over a hundred years ago slavery divided our country. Today, the deliberations between pro-choice and pro-life advocates divide the country. The debate began in earnest on January 22, 1973 when the United States Supreme Court decided that a woman could terminate the baby growing in her body, if she so desired.

Conservative legal scholars, both then and now, argue that the infamous Court decision of Roe vs. Wade is and was an unconstitutional court ruling because the United States Constitution says in part, "No person shall...be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law...nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

While legal experts continue to debate the court case, the practical consequences of Roe v. Wade, can be documented: 

· Since 1973 the lives of more than 35,000,000 American babies have been terminated prematurely.

· Since 1973 one child is aborted every 22 seconds.

· Since 1973 the teen pregnancy rate has doubled.

· 43 % of the slaughter of the innocent are repeat abortions

· Each year 100,000 women miscarry a wanted child due to prior abortions creating physical damage to their bodies. Abortions may be legal, but they are not all safe.

In 1973 Norma McCorvey ("Jane Roe") did not really care about the practical consequences of her court action. However, by the grace of God, today, Norma does care. She is on public record as having accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. While we cannot verify the depth of her faith, Norma McCorvey is truly concerned about what has been done as manifested in her simple story, and a poem she wrote called Empty Playgrounds.

"I sit across from a playground that
I visited this eve with a small child.
I know of such places where children play,
I know that I am the cause of them not being here today.
I hope, Lord, that the wonderful playground
You have is guarded with angels
So that when that glorious day comes,
the children will not hold this sin against me.
All I did was to give my baby away,
so that women could tear theirs apart.
For this I will never be able to look
You in the face without shame."

Sometime after writing this poem, Norma said her shame was taken away after a friend shared with her the words of a Psalm that says, "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed" (Ps 34:4-5).

While there is no sin too great for God's grace, it is good for people to cry out in sorrow, "God, be merciful to me the sinner." Norma McCorvey has called out to God. Beyond the legal concerns, beyond the practical consequences, beyond the personal considerations, the Word of God speaks directly to this issue.

The Bible teaches that God Himself makes the life in the womb. Psalms 139:13-16 "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Because life is wonderful and precious, because life is the gift of God, it should not be rejected in a reckless manner. This is the Word of the Lord. For those who have terminated the life of an unborn child, not out of health considerations but out of convenience, there is mercy for you as you repent, confess and come to Christ who died that you might live. There is mercy with the Lord.