Note: this is a paraphrase of Pastor Glenn Hoburg’s remarks given at Grace Downtown on Sunday, June 26, following the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs Jackson. 

In 2013 I received a call from a committed member in our church. A single woman and working professional. She was in distress–reeling, terrified, and burdened with anxiety (and shame).
“Glenn–I have some news. I’m pregnant”.  

The unplanned pregnancy came while she was between jobs. The father wanted nothing to do with the child and advocated for an abortion. Some in her inner circle insisted if she did have the child there was no way she should consider raising it. Understandably, she felt alone and overwhelmed. We talked about God being present in chaos, his unwavering love and acceptance and our church’s support.

Over the next months, as the shock wore off, the intensity increased. The father was consistent and clear that he would not be a parent. Pressure increased from others to choose adoption. Those of us who were confidants did our best to listen, honor her conscience, and offer support. After a few months of praying, as well as visiting an adoption agency, she decided to parent the child.

A few months later a beautiful, covenant baby boy was born. Our community, mostly singles and married without kids celebrated. We sought to be a surrogate family and jumped into action providing meals and childcare. It was a lifeline to our sister and her son. But, for all the sincere efforts there were inevitable gaps. Amidst the joy and delight of this new life, she faced the loneliness and fatigue of being a single parent. It finally made sense to return to her home so her parents could assist, which also meant returning to her childhood church. Being a more established church there were families with kids but few (if any) single, working moms. The programs of the church were robust but designed for stay-at-home moms. How could she make it to a Bible study or meet at the park for playdates during the workday? Later evening fellowship times were difficult facing busy mornings. Yet, this was the path to which God called her and with it came his promised provision. Each year she persevered, and when we talked I perceived her growing in strength and joy. Birthdays and milestones in the life of her son appearing on Facebook led to praise and prayers.

Last year, I received another call about a decade after the first, “Glenn, I’m now engaged. I want to get married in D.C., would you do it?”  So, just over a year ago, outside the Jefferson Memorial, we celebrated a wedding (and a forthcoming adoption).  

This experience illustrates two things, which I think are especially important to remember at this moment. First, commitment to life is costly. As countless parents will testify–children are a blessing!  “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps. 127.3). Parenting yields a reward of love, joy, purpose, and transformation, yet, that heritage is costly! The cost of independence, being on call 24/7, delayed gratification, and heartbreak (“and, a sword will pierce through your own soul also”). At its core, parenting is a call to die for the sake of life. Our member, this single mother, is a living testimony of that call. But, more importantly, a testimony of the Christian gospel. For what every faithful parent does imperfectly, our faithful God does perfectly. At the heart of the Christian faith is the story of God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, literally dying so we can live. Dying the death we deserve so we might possess the life he deserves–abundant and eternal. The entire reason the Father sent Jesus was loving self-sacrifice. Jesus’ life mission was to serve and sacrifice fully and finally. Christian commitment to the sanctity of life is motivated by this as much as protecting defenseless divine image bearers. And, it reaches further. For it means a Christian commitment to life, while beginning at the womb, only begins there. A genuine cost-bearing commitment is evident as Christ’s followers serve single parents (and their children) for the long journey. 

The second thing illustrated is unconditional compassion. No one could enter into this dear sister’s story without feeling both inspiration and compassion. Compassion for the experience of  abandonment, shame, exhaustion, and anxiety. All of us would want nothing less. Jesus was the King of compassion. His heart overflowed with compassion to undeserving sinners (again, all of us). While the Supreme Court ruling has been received with controversy the call for compassion is without controversy. Whether someone feels outraged or afraid, Christians can be compassionate. There is no conflict or falseness in both a commitment to life and compassion. One can praise God and celebrate victory for life and also have sincere compassion on our neighbor. The virtues of Christ live in harmony.

Let our commitment to life and our compassion dwell side by side.