Is it time to say 39 years is enough?

By John Sheda

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Thirty-nine is an interesting number. People reach that age and attempt to comically or not so comically refuse to enter in the 40s. Jack Benny was famous for being forever 39. Birth dates, anniversary dates, holiday dates are fairly easy to remember throughout the year.

But just within the past few weeks, we passed a date that forever changed the course of our history. And it went by without hardly any notice at all.

It was Jan. 22, 1973, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled with a 7-2 majority vote in Roe vs Wade that abortion is a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution. This is the 39th year since that day.

Thirty-nine and holding? Probably not. Thirty-nine and continuing on and on and on. Sad.

In the Bible, the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 30, Verse 19, God's Word says: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursing. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

In the New Testament, we read that the baby inside of Elizabeth leapt for joy when she and Mary, the mother of Jesus, met (Luke 1:41).

Today as I look at our country, I wonder - I wonder about divisiveness, anger, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, insane violence and so much more that has come against us. Over $15 trillion in national debt! The nastiness and polarization of our political parties.

And I wonder, I just wonder.

I know it's a crazy thing to think but maybe, just maybe because on Jan. 22, 1973, when we did not choose life ... we stopped being a blessed nation! A preposterous thought, I know, but still I wonder.

The fundamental question was back then, is today and will remain: so, when does life begin? Don't we all really know?

Following are some people whose mothers chose life, yet gave up their child for adoption or arranged for adoption: Nancy Reagan, George W. Carver, Nat King Cole, President Gerald Ford, John Hancock, Faith Hill, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Steve Jobs, Art Linkletter, Tim McGraw, Edgar Allan Poe, President Bill

Clinton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Babe Ruth and Wendy's founder Dave Thomas.

An interesting group of men and women. And these are just the tip of the iceberg of adopted men and women, boys and girls.

Is it time to say 39 years is enough?

Remember, our Constitution begins this way, “We the people ...” It really is up to us! Oh, by the way, aren't you glad your mom chose life?

John Sheda is pastor of Living Water Church in Independence. Comments: jsheda@indytel.com