A Mother's Sacrifice

Today I learned something new about Francis Chan: his mother died giving birth to him. She had the choice to abort him, but she chose not to because she believed in God’s plan. The doctors told her, “you don’t understand, you will die if you continue on with your pregnancy.” She told them, “so be it.” She chose to die so that Francis could live. Not unlike how Christ died for us, so that we may live.

My mother also made the same decision with me. Three doctors, not one but three, told her that I had a zero chance of survival, and that her life was in danger too. She also made the decision to trust God and hope for a miracle. What started out as a C-section quickly became a surgery for tumor removal. I lived. My mother lived too. A miracle happened.

Francis’s mom died. Francis lived. I lived. My mom lived. Who decided all these things? God decided all these things. This story is why I believe in God, why my faith is so deeply rooted even in the times when I hated God. There might be times why we ask God why He chooses to let some die and others live. I ask that question too sometimes. I’ve even asked once why He let me survive, and not spare me the pain of living. I know why God wanted Francis Chan to live though. Through his mother’s sacrifice, God was able to use him to reach many and tell them that they have a Father in heaven who has this crazy love for His children. I hope one day God can use me like that, and not let the life He chose to save go to waste.