I was a very naïve, young woman when I got married all those years ago! I had never heard the word “abortion” and never in my wildest dreams did I ever know or imagine that a mother could have a surgical procedure to destroy and remove a child in her womb. But reality took a sudden turn after I saw a picture of a hospital room somewhere in the United States with fully developed aborted babies thrown into a garbage can like trash.
They say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”… this picture was worth a thousand tears…. a definite wake-up call which motivated me into my first of many, years of prolife efforts.
In the beginning we made garbage bag bows and took them around town for people to hang on their front porches in memory of the aborted babies (people amazingly were okay with doing that then). A short time later I saw the movie “Silent Scream,” which fortified my beliefs and efforts.
Growing up, my sister and I would always play “house.” I always wanted to be a Mommie! But another reality check came soon after we were married. The doctors told me I would never get pregnant… never know the joy of feeling life growing within me… never be able to give birth. But as we all know often times God knows more than the doctors.
After many, many prayers we decided to adopt. At the final appointment in October our counselor said we were number 75 on the list, and it would be a couple of years at least before a child was available. I was crushed!
Then on the evening of January 21 (three months later) we received a phone call around 7:00 in the evening. It was our counselor. She said, “Bring a name and clothes tomorrow morning at 10. We have your baby girl!”
Ironically, while we were waiting in the waiting room, the March for Life was on the TV.
We were on cloud nine! I am not sure how we drove home that day with that precious five-day old baby girl in my arms, but I can honestly say that to this day, that was the happiest day of my life! God also gave us four biological miracles after that! About 16 years later we met our daughter’s birth mother and thanked her for giving our daughter LIFE!
These are some of the reasons why I have been a Chapter Leader for Chattahoochee Valley United for Life. Life begins at the beginning (at fertilization) and brings joy to all those who embrace it!
In the past, I also spent about 4 years in front of the local abortion mill. There alongside other compassionate Christians, we offered help to those seeking an end to their pregnancy. Often, if given the chance, we showed them the little 12 week Touch of Life fetal models hoping it would help them to choose life.
I have been a Chapter Leader for about 12 to 14 years (I forget!). We have had Life Chains, Days of Remembrance, Peace in the Womb, Marches for Life and Bridges Days. We have stood and prayed for other prolife informative projects. In my prolife journey I have been honored to have worked with the most incredible Christian prolife people one could ever imagine!
I am so proud to be a Board member of Georgia Right to Life (GRTL is a grassroots organization, and Chapter Leaders are members of the Board) which firmly believes that God is the Creator, and all life is precious and begins at fertilization. They also believe that no matter the perfection of the baby or the manner of conception, there is no excuse to end that life! No exceptions.
I love this quote: “The measure of any society is how it treats its weakest and most helpless citizens,” Jimmy Carter. I would say that is a sad commentary on our country now when more than 64,000,000 babies have been killed by abortion since 1973.
Remember too that there are over two million couples in this country who are waiting to adopt.
I urge you to educate yourself on two new pieces of legislation that GRTL supports and is working to see passed. One, HR 413, the Personhood Amendment, to the Georgia State Constitution would guide laws to provide protection, equal justice, and equal rights for all innocent human life at any stage of development, level of dependency, physical and mental ability, medical prognosis, manner of conception, contributions to society, age, or race. The other is HB 496, the Georgia Prenatal Equal Protection Act, that would end legalized abortion in Georgia.
If you live in Chattahoochee, Harris, or Muscogee County and would like to join us or learn more about Chattahoochee Valley United for Life, you can reach me at rachael.lane1119@yahoo.com or call 770-339-6880.
May God have mercy on our country and on those who perform and promote abortion.
Rachael Lane, Chapter Leader
Chattahoochee Valley United for Life
cvunitedforlife.org
Facebook: Chattahoochee Valley United for Life