Parable: a short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle
There were once two sisters, let’s call them Elizabeth and Sarah, who grew up in the Midwestern part of the United States. They each had the goal of making it in Hollywood. Of becoming a star. And they pursued these dreams relentlessly, moving to California when they graduated from high school. They worked endless shifts at various jobs to earn money to keep that dream alive.
As is often the case, the lure of the seductive life of Hollywood gained a foothold and each became pregnant out of wedlock. They each realized what the effect of the pregnancy would have on the career aspirations. It was very likely that having a child would derail what each had hoped to accomplish from those early days back home growing up. How could they let this one mistake result in the loss of everything? But…what about the child gaining life within? What of its aspirations and hopes? Its dreams?
Elizabeth was a beauty and was extremely talented. Everyone in the entertainment industry told her she was going places. Sarah was no slouch either. While her career had not yet taken off, all who knew her saw that her will and determination would pay off in the end. But this is where the paths that they traveled would diverge. Life changing decisions would be made.
Elizabeth chose to end her pregnancy. All her friends told her that it would be crazy to let this little thing end such a promising career. It would be simple to take care of. She was given several recommendations of where to go. She had support from her friends and it was done in a matter of a few hours.
Sarah took a different direction. She kept her child. It was hard. And to make it even harder, the child was born with Down’s Syndrome. She was a single mother in a town where that is far from the norm. At least in the circles that frequented Hollywood. And her child had a disability that was obvious to the world. She became an outsider. No one would give her work as an actress and her part time jobs could not now support her and her child. She decided to give up her dream. She decided to die to what made her..her. The dream of being on stage or in the movies was who she was and now it was gone. She returned home and received the support of her family and friends.
During this time Elizabeth grew into the actress all predicted she would be. She had it all. Money, fame, power and adoration from her fans. She even won an academy award for one of the films she starred in. Apparently, she made the right decision all those years ago. And she told the audience at the Oscars just that. How proud she was to have ended her pregnancy. It allowed her to fulfill her passion. To receive her reward and reach her dreams.
And Sarah? Her child grew as well. She was named Jamie. And wouldn’t you know it, she wanted to become an actress. She studied and rehearsed. Got cast in school plays. Was chosen for some commercial work. And then she was noticed by an agent who found her a role on a hit TV series. She was universally loved and found more roles and achieved the success that her mom had dreamed about.
Jamie took her success and used it to help those afflicted with Down Syndrome. She served as spokesperson for several organizations pledged to increase awareness of those with Downs in the community. She was successful in getting legislation passed to reduce discrimination for those with the genetic abnormality. What she had accomplished made her Mom swell with pride. She could not have imagined all those years ago what her pregnancy would have led to. To what this little soul inside of her would become.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.” (John 24-25)
Which sister received the most of God’s mercy, compassion and love? God’s love is boundless and never ending. They both received a wellspring of grace from the Lord. And are not we called to imitate what God provides? Each sister chose a different path. One could debate the factors that led to each choice. But, in the end, we are to take the mercy and love God shows us and extend it to those we meet along this journey.
