Thanks to Jennifer Schmidt for Her Beautiful Reflection: All Life is Precious

Today’s LIFE Group devotion is so poignant and powerful.

A member of the Vitae staff recently suffered the loss of her child. She was five months pregnant and went into labor delivering her son who lived for 2 brief hours. This was a devastating loss for her and her family. The rest of the Vitae staff gathered in prayer, some in tears as we were made aware of the situation. Jennifer’s reflection in today’s LIFE Group Devotions was very timely for Vitae staff, and we thank Jennifer for her very thoughtful and heartfelt reflection and testimony – all life is so very precious.

All Life is Precious (Rv 19:9a) by Jennifer Schmidt

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” ~ Rv 19:9a (full readings)
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Jennifer’s Reflections: While attending the Vitae Foundation Benefit Dinner in Kansas City (thanks to a generous donor’s sponsorship of the LIFE Runners table), I heard powerful testimonies of services transforming the destinies of the most innocent, the little lambs of our era. The Vitae Foundation broadcasts masterfully-developed assurances to our broader culture: all life truly is precious, and while unplanned pregnancy is undeniably challenging, a network of people is ready to lend support to those feeling fearful, conflicted, and alone. As a married woman who six years ago learned at 20 weeks gestation that our unborn baby wouldn’t survive long after birth, I am keenly aware that many proponents of the ‘right to choose’ are driven by a misguided compassion. The specialist ridiculing the decision my husband and I made (the choice to continue the life of our unborn child based on the principle that all life is intrinsically valuable, even when life is destined to be brief, because the human person is a reflection of God’s Image and should be granted the natural life/death cycle) wasn’t trying to be cruel. From his perspective, the recommendation was protective, a means to diminish further suffering for a family already bearing heartbreak. Since then, as a pro-life counselor, I have felt a duty to honor the sanctity of life by advancing the perinatal hospice movement. “For He is good: The Lord, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations” (Ps 100:5). Let us reach out with steadfast kindness and merciful hearts, understanding that many who directly oppose our respect for Life have yet to discover the formidable influences we’ve blessedly received.
* Jennifer Schmidt (LIFE Runner) and her husband John have two sons. They counsel couples coping with the hardships of infant loss. Jennifer serves as the Counseling Center Assistant Director for Benedictine College in KS.
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Faith Challenge: The topic of perinatal loss is heavy and uncomfortable, but those advancing the ‘right to choose’ commonly cite instances of fatal and severe anomaly of the unborn child. Witness for life and provide valuable help to families facing anticipated losses by familiarizing yourself with helpful resources including www.perinatalhospice.org and A Gift of Time: Continuing Your Pregnancy When Your Baby’s Life is Expected to be Brief by Amy Kuebelbeck and Deborah Davis.
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: Servant of God John of Monte Corvino.
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Faith Quote: “The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation.”~ C.S. Lewis.
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Through Christ our Lord,
Jennifer

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (and families): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.
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