First Fruits Friday - Listening

Do You Hear What I Hear?

During the Christmas season, we often hear carols and songs on the radio. One favorite is Do You Hear What I Hear?  Jesus often hears the prayers of the broken hearted and those in need of healing. We are reminded in other songs that HE is our mighty counselor, Prince of Peace, a wonderful, divine, and everlasting father.

“A child, a child shivers in the cold.”  Most of our clients grew up without fathers being present in their lives. They may have never known a healthy patriarchal relationship and thus, make choices that might not be in the best interest of themselves, the baby they are pregnant with, or their other children.

This is not to condone their actions but it may help us all to remember the challenge of Do You Hear What I Hear?  Many of our clients are suffering from domestic violent relationships. Why? Often it is because they do not have the means to take care of their kids. In their eyes, a punch, an insult, their life being threatened is a bargain well worth it as the price of providing care for their children. Jesus was punched, insulted and his life was not only threatened, but ultimately destroyed.  He willingly paid that price for us all.

Two clients this week needed a local maternity home to go to as all of the shelters were full.  Do you recall, “no room at the inn” in the Christmas stories? What does that mean for our clients? They often return to the men who threaten their lives on a daily basis. If only we had a maternity home here to shelter them from this vicious evil for even a short time. 

Gen 37:15

And a man found him, and behold, he was wandering about in a field. And the man asked him, "What do you seek?"

These women seek shelter, a comforter, a father, a peacemaker, someone who can be wonderful to them. They need to believe in something - that someone cares. Is that someone you? Perhaps you own a rental property that can be used as a short-term maternity home. Maybe you are a good listener who can comfort these women who seek abortions because they have heard of no other way. Could it be that you are a prayer warrior who can sit in reverent silence on abortion days while angry outbursts are slung at the moms and at our staff? 

As in the song, can you be a sovereign who offers a warm place and peace?