Today, as we ponder yesterday's verdict for accused (Bobby Cutts) in the murder of his pregnant girlfriend (Jessie Davis), my heart goes out to the families. Watching some of the courtroom statements from the woman's family members, I couldn't help but be moved by the pain and loss.
Cases of crimes against pregnant women radiate fear, disgust, and anger in most of us. It's easy to personalize names of people we don't know and open our hearts to these women, the children (born and unborn), and their families who love them.
It occurred to me that during the sentencing hearing that sadly, this case is only one that represents many women around the world who face violence...even murder during pregnancy. What we have witnessed via media outlets only scratches the surface of unreported cases.
Pregnancy should be a time of peace and tranquility in a woman's life, not turmoil in any sense of the word (physically, emotionally, or spiritually).
According to ABC News, "A study published in the March 2005 edition of the American Journal of Public Health found that homicide was a leading cause of death among pregnant women in the United States between 1991 and 1999.
A 2001 study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association said 20 percent of Maryland women who died during pregnancy were murdered. Researchers found the same trend in New York from 1987-1991 and in the Chicago area from 1986-1989. According to the CDC, approximately 324,000 pregnant women are hurt by an intimate partner or former partner each year.
Experts say that while pregnant women are more commonly targeted by men -- particularly spouses, boyfriends or exes -- they also need to be wary of other women. Each has very different reasons for targeting expectant mothers."
A similar case prompted the creation of Laci and Conner's Law (The Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004). According to Fox News, the bill states that an assailant who attacks a pregnant woman while committing a violent federal crime can be prosecuted for separate offenses against both the woman and her unborn child, "a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb."
I thank the Lord today for this law and the recognition of "person hood" for the unborn.
I am remembering expectant mothers and their unborn babies in my prayers today; that the Lord would keep them from harm and protect them from evil. I pray for angels to protect them from those (men or women) who may seek to hurt them. I pray that we as friends and family members would gain wisdom and discernment in discovering, dealing with, and helping those around us who suffer any form of turmoil (spiritual, physical, or emotional) during pregnancy. May the Lord give them safety!
Psalm 91- The Message
"You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path."
Our condolences to our friends (Bill's family) at the passing of their Aunt. We rejoice in knowing (thanks to 13 year old Joe) that she will spend eternity with the Lord! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family today!
