As a devout Catholic who has struggled with the cross of infertility for the past 15 years, IVF was always a no-go for me. It didn't matter how badly I wanted children or how much doctors pushed IVF on me as my only hope to motherhood, I knew that IVF was intrinsically evil. The end never justifies the means. So many doctors, friends and family would look at me baffled when they would suggest IVF and I would decline. Even though I am now a mother to my adopted daughter, the yearning to have a biological child is still there. But my life feels full. I do not feel like I am lacking. "Come to me all who are burdened...for my yoke is easy and my burden light." Indeed God's way, in the end, is the way of great joy. That is what I feel every day, even while carrying my cross of infertility- joy.
The masturbation aspect alone has me scratching my head as to why the acceptance of IVF is so widespread among many Christians. Among, well... all these other things. The levels of moral alarm bells going off should be incredibly disturbing to us all.
Anyone reading this feeling convicted of not using IVF & struggling with fertility, look into embryo adoption. They aren’t viewed as living human beings so it’s less hoops to jump through, I believe legally embryos are just considered property. A lot of Christian families have come to regret this morally gray area of ivf, or struggling with what to
do with remaining embryos. A couple we know had been able to find a Christian family who had many born children, and many remaining embryos. The family didn’t want them destroyed or sitting frozen, and had been looking for other Christian families to adopt and raise up their babies. The couple adopted four of them. Another couple adopted the rest. They all stay in contact and I believe there’s a plan to have them all meet since they are all siblings. It’s certainly strange in some ways, but a beautiful redemption of the ethical/moral/Biblical dilemmas IVF presents.
As a devout Catholic who has struggled with the cross of infertility for the past 15 years, IVF was always a no-go for me. It didn't matter how badly I wanted children or how much doctors pushed IVF on me as my only hope to motherhood, I knew that IVF was intrinsically evil. The end never justifies the means. So many doctors, friends and family would look at me baffled when they would suggest IVF and I would decline. Even though I am now a mother to my adopted daughter, the yearning to have a biological child is still there. But my life feels full. I do not feel like I am lacking. "Come to me all who are burdened...for my yoke is easy and my burden light." Indeed God's way, in the end, is the way of great joy. That is what I feel every day, even while carrying my cross of infertility- joy.
Julie, thank you for sharing. I'm sorry for the cross you have to carry, but it is inspiring to hear that you carry it joyfully.
You may enjoy this piece on Dappled Things— https://www.dappledthings.org/deep-down-things/it-is-good-to-be-here
Thank you for sharing. I can only imagine how confusing that process would have been for her.
The masturbation aspect alone has me scratching my head as to why the acceptance of IVF is so widespread among many Christians. Among, well... all these other things. The levels of moral alarm bells going off should be incredibly disturbing to us all.
It confuses me, as well, but I hope bringing all of these details to light will make people reconsider.
Anyone reading this feeling convicted of not using IVF & struggling with fertility, look into embryo adoption. They aren’t viewed as living human beings so it’s less hoops to jump through, I believe legally embryos are just considered property. A lot of Christian families have come to regret this morally gray area of ivf, or struggling with what to
do with remaining embryos. A couple we know had been able to find a Christian family who had many born children, and many remaining embryos. The family didn’t want them destroyed or sitting frozen, and had been looking for other Christian families to adopt and raise up their babies. The couple adopted four of them. Another couple adopted the rest. They all stay in contact and I believe there’s a plan to have them all meet since they are all siblings. It’s certainly strange in some ways, but a beautiful redemption of the ethical/moral/Biblical dilemmas IVF presents.