{"id":173479,"date":"2017-10-18T11:57:18","date_gmt":"2017-10-18T15:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=173479"},"modified":"2022-07-18T14:57:47","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T19:57:47","slug":"pregnant-rape-wife-did-have-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/pregnant-rape-wife-did-have-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"My wife and I chose life after she became pregnant after rape"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Editor’s Note:\u00a0Live Action works to maintain the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Live Action has looked into key elements of Ms. Christie\u2019s testimony and personal story and has found them to be credible.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

I understand what women mean when they say that men don\u2019t have as much of a right to talk about abortion after rape as it doesn\u2019t have anything to do with them. That statement has some truth to it. Sometimes. But when my bride of 22 years was pregnant after rape, I was deeply affected. Our amazing three-year-old was conceived on that horrific day. He is a gift that helped us\u00a0both<\/em>\u00a0recover.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve read the comments. I\u2019ve heard the opinions. I agree that you don\u2019t know what you\u2019ll think or feel in such a situation unless it happens to you. That\u2019s a terrible, stark reality and one I live with. I know that I can\u2019t take away the trauma that my wife went through no matter how much I try. I recognize that I can\u2019t and won’t ever comprehend the depth of her pain.<\/p>\n

She also won’t understand mine. I\u2019m supposed to be her protector. I\u2019m the one who stood in front of our families and friends and, along with “for better, for worse…”, silently vowed to make sure her heart and body stay safe. So where was I when she needed me the most? I live with constant \u201cwhat-ifs\u201d and \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I\u201d thoughts.<\/p>\n

I saw, before anyone else could, that the woman I knew from the time she was a bubbly, outgoing 14 year old whose quick wit made everybody laugh, that she was never going to be the same. I also recognized that our son had nothing to do with the horror she went through. I knew she would never forget what was done to her, regardless of whether he existed or not. It\u2019s ignorant arrogance that brings about comments like \u201cWith a child, a victim of rape has to live with that reminder every day of what that monster did to her.\u201d She doesn\u2019t need a reminder. That kind of violation is forever imprinted in her memory.<\/p>\n

What are children conceived in rape if not these terrible \u201creminders\u201d? I can tell you from personal experience.
\nThey are chances at redemption. They are opportunities for healing and a way to find meaning from nightmarish, meaningless actions. Isaiah 61:3 says that He provides those who mourn with \u201c\u2026beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.\u201d<\/p>\n

My wife likes to say that our son gave her hope. A purpose. I SAW that spark light up in her heart, and I knew then that without having a purpose come from all the violence, without another soul to protect and nurture, she would forever feel alone in her victimhood. She might always wonder why this happened to her, a loving child of God. This evil rapist left behind two victims: The woman he violated, and the life that began with his heinous actions.<\/p>\n