(a 5 minute read) Jesus was sitting outside at Starbucks sipping a drink. Although it’s the middle of December, the weather was just fantastic. His mind was admiring the surroundings and the season, and he had a smile on his face. A faint sobbing sound drew his attention, and looking in that direction Jesus saw a young woman alone, with tear drops rolling down her face.

“May I have a seat?” Jesus exclaimed as he was still standing but slightly pulling a chair to sit.

Jessica, that’s her name, said “Sure” as she let go of her cup and wiped her face.

“I hope you do not mind the intrusion, but maybe I can be of help?” Jesus said with a loving smile.

Jessica was a bit taken aback by the situation, that’s why she was stunned to hear herself say, “Maybe it is indeed a stranger that can help me!”

“What is troubling you my dear child?”

As the tears started rolling again, Jessica said, “I am pregnant and about to get an abortion, and as you can see, I am torn apart about it…………. Why, why does God allow this to happen?”

“Are you a believer?”

Through the tears Jessica actually smiled and said, “Oh Yesssss. I love the Lord, and love studying my bible.”

“May I ask what is tearing you apart?”

Jessica straightened up in her chair, wiped her face again and with conviction said, “If only the laws prohibited abortion, I would not be considering it right now.”

“My dear Jessica, I thought you said you are a believer that knows the Lord!”

Jessica squinted her eyes a bit, “Did I introduce myself?” but puzzled by Jesus’ statement, she defensively added, “What’s your point?”

“Don’t you think if God thought the solution to humanity is to institute laws, Jesus’ task back then would have been to be a politician, maybe a king of his time so as to change the laws of the land?”

Jessica perplexed and with a raised voice exclaimed, “I am actually an avid pro-lifer and those advocating abortion are ‘baby-killers’. Are you one of those?” As these words floated out of Jessica’s mouth, hearing them caused her to gasp and more tears poured out.

Jesus reached over and placed his hand on her head and stroked her hair to comfort her.

“Am I going to hell if I abort my baby?” Jessica whispered.

“Honey, if I was Jesus, and you came to me after you’ve had the abortion, do you think I’d forgive you?”

Jessica pulled away, “Are you saying I should have the abortion then ask for forgiveness??”

Jesus quickly responded, “I am addressing your question about ‘am I going to hell’.”

Expressing her exhaustion and confusion Jessica uttered, “Then what are you saying??”

Jesus smiled, “You say you know the Lord, then my question to you is, would the Lord want you to CHOOSE not have an abortion, or would the Lord rather you be FORCED into not having an abortion?”

The tears continued to pour down Jessica’s face, “Of course God wants me to choose. The whole God thing is about making CHOICES. Then why, just why, is my social sphere pointing fingers at those that are pro-choice and saying cruel, mean, and nasty things about them like ‘Baby-killers’? Why, why do we do that?”

Jesus had compassion and his face exuded every loving human expression possible as he said,

“My sons and daughters wish that their teachings over the years would have led my grandchildren and my great grandchildren to choose what the Lord desires. When my sons and daughters think they have failed to do their task, they are angry. Anger translates to cruel and mean behavior that includes ‘labeling’ others with labels that’ll make anyone cringe, and that is unbecoming of their faith. What they do not realize is that there is still plenty of time to TEACH.

Jesus gave Jessica this scenario; Your dad is a strong pro-lifer. You go to him and say, I am considering an abortion. He says, please don’t, and mom and I will raise the child for you.  You say, what if I do have it anyway, will you ever talk to me again? Dad says, ‘Honey. I love you. You are my daughter. I will support and love you regardless of the decision you make……………

Does that make your dad a pro-abortionist? Is he going to become part of the ‘pro-choice’ camp? Does that make him a Baby-killer? Will that stop him from being a pro-life advocate?

You know that the answer to all these questions is an emphatic ‘Of course NOT’.

Jessica, at her wits end cried out, “I am still soooooooo conflicted. You are not helping me.”

Jesus stood up to leave, smiled and said, “I believe I am helping. At the end of the day it is you, and many like you that will choose to abort or not choose to abort. Know that I love you regardless of what you choose to do.”

Oh my Lord and my Creator……. I thank you for your endless and unconditional love. For not making it about heaven or hell, and for not making it about the laws, rather about what You desire. I pray and ask that I and that we, always consider that you are sitting at the table across from me and you and you. Thank You that Your love is always there regardless of the choices I make, but I do desire to make the choices that please You 🙂 knowing full well that I have and will make those choices that disappoint You, yet You love me through them. I love You and I thank You and may the glory always be to You. Amen