MAN KILLS HIS CHILD’S MOTHER AND THROWS THEIR TWO-DAY OLD BABY IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER: A PRO- LIFER’S CASE FOR COMPASSION
Memphis, Tennessee was recently taken by storm (February 2022) literally and figuratively. The literal being an ice storm brought on by freezing temperatures and rain.
But the figurative storm is the reason for this article. The media is blazing regarding the story of the 25-year-old young man that shot his 27-year-old child’s mother in the head and killed their 2 -day-old daughter by supposedly throwing the baby in the Mississippi River. Police and the Coast Guard have searched the river but have yet to recover the baby’s remains.
Tragic is an understatement. My initial feelings upon hearing the news ranged from sadness, disappointment to hopelessness. I still do not understand because this was such an unnecessary outcome for this scenario that is all too common today- an unwanted birth.
Comments posted on social media reeked of anger and outrage.
“He doesn’t deserve a trial. This monster needs to be killed.”
“Throw him into the river like he did the baby.”
“Don’t worry. They will take care of him in jail. He won’t last long.”
To be clear- As sad as hearing the story makes me, I do not share any of those thoughts. As a Christian I do not wish ill will on this person or anyone else for that matter. As a Kingdom citizen first and foremost, I have to show that I believe all of us are able to be redeemed.
Thus, I was disheartened to see some of these comments emanating from people who identify as Christians.
This chain of unfortunate events solidified my stance as a “pro-lifer.” For me it thrust to the forefront how the world is full of and filled with hypocrisy.
We should have compassion for Brandon Isabelle just like we have compassion for women who choose to have abortions.
A woman having an abortion chooses to kill her unborn baby in a clinic with a vacuum. It is legal, downright championed in America, and people have compassion for women who choose to go this route.
Brandon threw his two-day old daughter in the Mississippi River. Because she had passed through her mother’s womb this is illegal and frowned upon by society.
Both modes of death are violent. The end result is the same. An innocent baby is intentionally killed at the hands of their parents.
The only difference is how much time has elapsed.
Some articles report he asked her to have an abortion. If she had chosen to go that route, she would not have been labeled a monster or a baby killer. No one would have wished for her to be crushed to experience the same fate of her baby.
The narrative would have been she had to make a “tough decision”. She did what was “best for her future.” It was her “right as a woman”.
If a woman I know makes the decision to have an abortion, I would not condemn her or try to make her feel ashamed. I understand that is something that she will have to carry for the rest of her life. I would encourage her to repent, change her life and make decisions to where she doesn’t have to revisit this same scenario in the future. I would let her know that God still loves her and he will forgive her if she asks him. None of us are worthy. There is nothing we can do to make God stop loving us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
That is the same advice I have for Brandon.
I believed he panicked and had a mental breakdown. My prayer for him is that he seeks a relationship with God. He asks for forgiveness for harming those he was called to protect. I pray he gets the mental help he needs. I don’t have to have a mental health background to know that something is ”off” if a person commits heinous acts of this magnitude believing they will get away with it. When someone weighs the pros and cons of an unwanted child and resolves that child support is a worse alternative than jail– a mental evaluation is in order.
Upon light research of his background, I do not believe he is a horrible person. I believe he committed a horrible act. In this life, he has confessed and he will pay for his crimes.
Personally I would have liked to see a group of male ministers visit him in jail, reach out to him, pray for him and tell him he is not alone. They could have told him about Jesus and encouraged him to seek repentance for his crimes against God and man. For as believers we are called to spread the gospel, God’s Word, not our own agendas, nor our opinions when they are contrary to HIS WORD.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
All that speak curses on him display “worldly sorrow”, but all those that pray for him and his contrition display ” Godly sorrow.”
May those of us who are kingdom citizens use this example to teach principles of righteousness.
Despite what we are inundated with on television and in common media – casual sex and all sex outside of marriage is not in the will of God. We only get to make our choice, we do not get to choose the consequences. Sometimes the consequences are light. Other times they are heavy.
May those of us who are kingdom citizens use this example to teach principles of forgiveness.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – John 1:9 God said if we confess, he WILL forgive our sins- my sins, your sins and Brandon’s. The same grace and mercy that that is available to me and you, it is available for women who choose abortions and yes— it is available for Brandon.
May those of us who are kingdom citizens use this example and be unashamed to stand up for life- ALL LIFE.
The Bible says that children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is HIS reward. In this verse and Jeremiah 1:5 he makes crystal clear that unborn children are valuable to HIM.
He tells us that before we were born he knew us and set us apart. The two -day- old baby was valuable to God even when she was two -days -old in her mother’s womb.
Lastly, I pray for a day where we as Christians are less carnal and earthly minded in our convictions and principles. It is the world that condemns Brandon while fighting for women to have “access” to abortions. As believers the Word instructs us that God views them the same.
_________________________________
Anyone reading this that does not know Jesus or have a relationship with God, I encourage you to seek him for yourself. You are not too damaged or too wayward for God to save you. No matter what you’ve done, God still loves you and wants you to come to him. Get involved in a church. Study the Bible. Learn his ways and his WORLD. The world has so many choices for us, but narrow is the way. Jesus came so that we might have LIFE and life more abundantly. The popular message “YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE” is a lie.
One day we will have to give an account of our actions here on earth. And God is not going to judge us based on our jobs, political parties, degrees, or professional associations. He is going to ask us if we sought the kingdom FIRST and if we worked to make disciples of all nations. What will your answer be?
