40 Days for Life 2011: Week 2

This post transferred from my old blog.  Bold words are new/modified.

October 13, 2011 at 8:23PM

So I missed my scheduled hour last Tuesday on the account of a minor toe surgery. I didn't want to risk driving here since I couldn't wear a shoe...

But that's not what I'm blogging about.

They do abortions here on Thursdays as well as Fridays and Saturdays. I just wonder how many babies didn't make it. Maybe it's best to not think about it. Pray. Continuous praying for them and especially their parents. That's all I can do.

Earlier today I was texting back and forth with my cousin in California. We were kind of sulking in our lack of social activity since we're so busy compounded with how we both currently don't have love lives.

So stemming off that text conversation, I started thinking about those who are currently in relationships. I see couples everywhere either married, engaged, or dating. I often wonder the depth of their love for each other. Is it merely superficial or is there something on a deeper level here?

To the very few that have asked me about relationship advice, I make sure to tell them that sex shouldn't be the ultimate end as to why you're in a romantic relationship.  It should not be the focal point or the goal unless you're meant to be with that person until death. It's not being prude--it's being practical.

We live in a sex-saturated society where it tries to convince us that sex without consequences is THE way to "love" each other. Where lust is acceptable. Where objectifying the other sex is acceptable. Where babies are burdens and thus it is such a grave thing that a baby be conceived!

:-(

And this is why I'll eternally stress that true authentic love is free, total, faithful, and fruitful.

True love is free because if it is forced, it is not love at all. The lack of choice in the matter isn't really loving. By juxtaposition, think of rape. Authentic love is free because it gives the other the option to choose it or not. Like a father willing to let his daughter go on her wedding day.

True love is total because to hold yourself back is shortchanging your beloved. "Hey honey, I love you but not completely." I know that most of us would never openly say that to our beloved but do we hold such an idea in our hearts? Do we express our lack of total self-giving with our bodies? Think of the husband saying this to his wife, "My dear wife, I love you with all of my heart and all of my soul but I'm not willing to give up myself completely for you." Shortchanged wife. Now switch the word "husband" with "wife." Shortchanged husband. Authentic love is total because your beloved deserves nothing less of you.

True love is faithful. Lol, just listen to celebrity news and you can see how unfaithful love isn't really love at all. Isn't it every woman's dream to be that special someone to a man? Imagine how heartbroken she must feel if he goes and pulls a jerk move and cheats on her. She doesn't deserve that. I'll flip it the other way too. How less of a man would he feel knowing that the one he protects and provides for and loves...goes off with some other guy. Authentic love is faithful because there is no fear in your beloved leaving you in the dust.

True love is fruitful. You know, love is meant to be shared. It's not something for one to take and keep for oneself. Of course, love is an intangible thing but there are signs that make it visible. The fruitfulness of marriage are children. They are the visible signs of a husband and wife's self-giving love for each other. For us singletons, the fruitfulness of our love for others are meaningful friendships. If love isn't fruitful, how then is it shared?

Anyway, relating it all together... Sex is a visible sign of love that points towards something much greater. So, if sex is an expression of love... Sex, too, must be free, total, faithful, and fruitful.

So if a man and woman have intimate relations fulfilling love authentically... Is abortion really an option?

- JD