When I read the prompt for Five Minute Friday today, I immediately thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote the book, The Cost of Discipleship. His life portrayed the cost of his convictions.
I have read Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas and more recently My Dearest Dietrich by Amanda Barratt. Both books describe Bonhoeffer’s steadfast adherence to the truth of the Bible as Hitler ascended to power in Germany. He had the opportunity to remain in the United States as WWII was about to begin, but he chose to return to Germany, hoping to have an influence for good.
It is hard to be steadfast in convictions when you are going against the current. When I saw the number of interventions in childbirth continuing to grow, I chose to take a position with a home birth group with a drop in wages. I was able to see the normal progression of labor with the support of doula, nurse and physician. We were careful to observe for problems, transferring 10% of patients to the hospital. I learned important lessons.
When I returned to the hospital, my goal was to be an advocate for women who desired fewer interventions. Labor is a natural physiologic process that can be negatively affected by interventions. As it turned out,I didn’t always get along with the doctors. It is a lifelong challenge for me to learn to speak up with grace.
My heart goes out to the nurses and doctors who have concerns about the vaccine schedule for children. They believe that too many vaccines are being given at one time, not all of them are necessary for all children, some vaccines could be delayed. But mandates are being passed in a number of states. Doctors, nurses and parents don’t have a choice.
Yet some are steadfastly speaking up, going against the current—and being penalized financially.
As a Christian I need God’s word as a guide for my convictions. I need to read it, study it, and make it my way of life. And I need to continue to grow in my ability to speak truth with grace.
Being steadfast is not always financially rewarding, but it is spiritually rewarding.
I just finished a study of the book of Joshua. Here is the encouragement that threads all the way through this book.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
This post is shared with the Five Minute Friday writing community. Today’s prompt is: COST
Hey Carol,
From fmf group #4. I loved this post, as I find myself yet standing on conviction, against the current, I was seemingly beginning to plummet. Thankyou for your share it gave me the strength to STAND in my convictions.
Nancy’s Chains of Hope
So glad you are encouraged! Thanks for visiting.
Insightful post! Thank you for being an advocate for mom’s to be. We have 5 grown children and 4 of the 5 were born at home. The one we had in hospital was because we were planning to move during my pregnancy but didn’t know when or where. I much preferred my home births!
#16 FMF
It is great to hear about your healthy births! My daughter had one home birth but when her doctor gave up his practice she birthed in the hospital with me as her doula–she was able to avoid unnecessary interventions.
They say I’m steadfast in conviction,
but that is not the total story;
in point of fact, it’s mostly fiction,
and I don’t deserve the glory.
I’m just tired of seeing stuff
that should never here occur,
and, well, dude, I’ve had enough;
I’ll be complacency’s saddle-burr.
I’ll make sure that being stupid
costs them more than can afford,
and I can be pretty lucid
to show the light I’m pushing toward.
I’m really not inspiration-fired;
just seen too much, and really tired.