By: Sarah Thompson
Updated: Dec. 17, 2020
Originally Published: Nov. 20, 2020
He was gently lifted — his fragile, tiny, purple body — and placed against my chest, which somehow rose and fell in rhythm with my aching heart. My eyes brimmed with the kind of tears that threaten to spill over and never quite cease. His face was adorned with tangled wires connecting him to machines that beeped and flickered, alarmingly alerting us when his little lungs struggled to perform their vital task.
The toll my first pregnancy exacted on my body had cast doubt on the possibility of a second. Yet here he was, a miracle in the face of uncertainty. Each minute stretched into hours, and some days felt like they might be his last as we witnessed alarming episodes that turned his body a deep blue or rendered his heartbeat nearly undetectable. I found myself hoping that the sound of my voice and the warmth of my touch could keep him grounded in this world as we observed life desperately fighting for its chance to exist.
We were engulfed in a battlefield of fragile life, where babies not much larger than my palm were surrounded by devoted medical teams, vigilantly prepared to spring into action when these little hearts grew weary. Each of these children clung to life like a blade of grass pushing through concrete, resolute yet exposed to the harsh realities of a careless step.
Every night, we would leave this delicate realm and face another filled with turmoil. The fear of unintentionally bringing COVID-19 into the NICU weighed heavily on us. We masked up, isolated ourselves, and meticulously washed our hands until they burned. Even a common cold could become a life-threatening issue for these vulnerable infants; COVID-19 would surely be catastrophic.
My social media feed, once a source of joy and connection, became inundated with conspiracy theories and divisive rhetoric. There were protests against mask mandates and claims that personal freedoms were under siege. The most painful messages came from fellow Christians who claimed that a “virus that only affects the elderly and vulnerable” was an excuse to undermine their God-given rights.
What struck me was the implication that my child, part of the 3% at risk, was a sacrifice deemed acceptable for the sake of comfort and tradition. My heart shattered, realizing that personal convenience had eclipsed compassion.
Jesus referred to the vulnerable as “the least of these,” and He instructed us to care for and protect them, even at great personal cost. But vulnerability is not always visible. Beyond the obvious signs of frailty, individuals with chronic illnesses, mental health struggles, or socioeconomic disadvantages face significant vulnerabilities as well. They too deserve our compassion and care.
As Christians, we have a historical precedent for responding with love and sacrifice during pandemics. The teachings of figures like Martin Luther emphasized the importance of protecting others’ health, reminding us that caring for our neighbors is paramount.
Somewhere along the way, we seem to have lost our way. Our society’s comfort has dulled our understanding of true hardship, and we often mistake minor inconveniences for oppression. True persecution is rarely experienced by Christians in North America today, leading some to misinterpret their discomfort as a threat to their faith.
While free will is a precious gift, it can also lead to devastating consequences. The challenge of the Christian life is to prioritize the needs of others above our own desires. Philippians 2:4 reminds us to look not only to our interests but also to those of others.
Christ exemplified the ultimate sacrifice, surrendering His life for us. In comparison, the modifications we are asked to make in our daily lives — wearing masks, maintaining distance, and staying home when necessary — are minimal.
So please, let’s rise to the occasion. It’s not too much to ask. We can do better.
For more insights on home insemination and related topics, check out this article or learn from experts at Intracervical Insemination. For additional information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit the CDC’s website.
Summary:
This open letter calls on Christians to reflect on their responsibilities towards the vulnerable, especially during challenging times like a pandemic. It emphasizes that true compassion requires seeing beyond personal comfort and recognizing the fragility of life. The piece encourages believers to take responsible actions to protect others, echoing the teachings of Christ about serving and loving the least among us.
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Open letter, Christians, compassion, COVID-19, vulnerable, sacrifice, pandemic response, faith, love, community care.