Value of Life

Charlotte Ostermann

Lawrence Journal-World

All of America is grieving together over the senseless deaths of two precious little innocent boys. We expect murder at the hands of tyrants and bullies, but when a mother, under whose heart a child develops, murders that child for her own convenience, we are horribly shocked. Our sense of the betrayal of a sacred trust heightens the outrage of cruel and needless death.

There are reports of children now asking their mommies, “Would you do that to me?” The critical foundation of basic trust has, for them, forever been shaken. It is very difficult to feel understanding or forgiveness for Susan Smith.

My thoughts turn now to another mother – any woman – who may right now be considering the murder of her child her only way out of the responsibilities of motherhood. Are you so desperate you cannot see that there are other options? You may be my own neighbor, co-worker, friend, and not realize that help is as close as my listening ear.

God says to us, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) My earnest prayer is that you will choose life. If the deaths of these boys jolt someone into revaluing the life of her own child, then perhaps they will not have died in vain.