A Memorial to Zephyr, Song by Beverly Rush
John C. Rankin
[excerpted from First the Gospel, Then Politics …, 1999, Vol. 2, not published]
Pro-life advocates seek justice for the unborn. When so many are aborted, not being given their right to life, the theological assumption is often expressed in pro-life circles that aborted children automatically go to heaven. For women who have aborted their children, only later to regret it, they derive comfort from the hope that their children are safe in God’s presence – as David derived comfort that he would be reunited with his dead child (2 Samuel 12:23).
Many women who feel no choice but abortion as they go through it, still know the full humanity of their unborn children, and pray for their unborn that they will be received by God. In Japan, women in large numbers dedicate memorials to their aborted children, in a Shinto custom that recognizes the humanity of the unborn even in the face of killing them – a grasp at atonement. The Japanese women want to know that it will be well for their aborted children, as well as for their own consciences.
In 1984, Beverly Rush […] wrote a song for her aborted child, “A Memorial to Zephyr” (© 1988, Beverly Rush) – listen here. The abortion had happened ten years earlier, one year before she came to faith in Christ.
___________________
This song was entered into the Congressional Record, Wednesday, March 12, 1986, Vol. 132, No. 29: Proceedings and Debates of the 99th Congress, Second Session.
A MEMORIAL TO ZEPHYR
Mr. HUMPHREY [Rep. Gordon Humphrey, R-NH]. Mr. President, recently, a constituent of mine, [text removed for privacy purposes], sent me a copy of a song she wrote and performed. The song is a touching, sensitive perspective on the profound effect abortion has on all those involved — not only the unborn child, here named Zephyr, but also the mother. I encourage all my colleagues to read the words of this song and consider precisely what has been done to million and a half women each year who suffer the physical, emotional and spiritual pain of legalized abortion. I ask that the lyric sheet for the song be printed in the RECORD.
The material follows:
A MEMORIAL TO ZEPHYR
(Words and Music by Beverly Rush)
“Zephyr, you’re the gentle wind, the silent breeze in my life. Zephyr, though a gentle wind, you brought a storm in my life.
“When you blew into my life, my body felt so strange. If I could change one thing in this world, it’s the day I brought you pain.
“Zephyr, you’re the gentle wind, the silent breeze in my life. Zephyr, though a silent sigh, you’re the deepest cry of my life.
“When I sought the grace of God, he took away my shame. Though the years have passed, it’s not ‘til today, that you’ve ever had a name.
“Zephyr, you’re the gentle wind, the silent breeze in my life. Zephyr, you’re the gentle breeze, the first fruit in my life.
“Now there is hope for mothers and fathers, who drink this mournful cup. Know that every child who has been forsaken, the Lord will take him up.
“And love him, and hold him, and keep your treasure safe. And when you are ready, in your heart he’ll find a place.
“Zephyr, you’re the gentle wind, the silent breeze in our lives. Zephyr, though a silent breeze, you have sung your song in our hearts,
“You have sung your song in our hearts.”
This song is a beautiful memorial, as redemption from the ugly sin of human abortion is sought and received. In it, Beverly refers explicitly to Psalm 27:10:
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.”
~ Listen to “A Memorial to Zephyr” here.
###
