A few months ago I preached one Sunday at Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. I was the pastor there for 12 years (1982-1994). After the service, a woman hugged me and gave me a picture. “This is Johnny,” she said. “He just graduated from Middle School.”

I gave her a second hug. It had been over a decade, but I remembered her story.

Early in her pregnancy Johnny had been diagnosed with Down Syndrome and abortion was seriously considered. Her husband “leaned” in that direction, but she resisted.

Her father was one of my best friends and was adamant in his insistence that she have an abortion. The family was in turmoil. My friend, also one of the most influential leaders in the congregation, couldn’t understand my support of his daughter’s position not to abort Johnny. Our re…