If you have been on social media in the last week then you might have seen an influx of photos of children, being shared by parents with the hashtag “great joys.”
Last week after #metoo founder Alyssa Milano said that if she had not of had two abortions in 1993, her life would be rid of joy. The movement began when Pastor Jarrid Wilson of Harvest Christian Fellowship took to Twitter following Milano’s statement urging parents to share photos of their children with the hashtag “great joys” to social media.
Everyone should post a picture of their kids and use the hashtag #greatjoys https://t.co/GDRHRXa8Y6 pic.twitter.com/0ocQ33wGGP
— Jarrid Wilson (@JarridWilson) August 21, 2019
The movement took off as Twitter users tweeted out photos of their children using the hashtag “great joys” to commemorate the celebration of life that children are.
3/4 of these were “surprises.” We were never “ready,” economically or otherwise, for their arrivals. They are the #greatjoys of my life and I would never, ever trade any one of them for anything this world has to offer. https://t.co/DWKOPIWwo3 pic.twitter.com/NOes6DuJvo
— @backcreekpastor (@backcreekpastor) August 21, 2019
Cancer took the other half of my life. These two are my whole life now. #greatjoys pic.twitter.com/6nMQQ9bsFi
— George Mason (@Georgem06135106) August 24, 2019
I was single and 19. I could have made a completely different choice but I’m glad I didn’t. #greatjoys pic.twitter.com/Vw86RxPNPJ
— Clarissa Silva (@cjsilva97) August 22, 2019
I had my daughter at 19, and my son at 22. I couldn’t imagine my life without them. They are such a blessing. #greatjoys pic.twitter.com/pJ6H64YKuL
— Amanda Causey Newman (@manda_ryann) August 23, 2019
#greatjoys after 5 years of infertility issues, we had our first. Our 2nd was a bonus we didn’t deserve. #momofboys pic.twitter.com/gufvchNH4f
— Eli T (@Wiznardo) August 21, 2019
#MyGreatJoys many years ago, but the greatest accomplishments of my life. So happy that they are still this close 20 +
years later. pic.twitter.com/ABoN0o1l6s— Mad O'Boyle (@MadelynOBoyle) August 23, 2019
In an interview with Faithwire, Wilson expressed how devastating Milano’s comments were.
“Children are our future, and a blessing from God, not a burden that so many people — specifically people who are only focused on their own achievement and goals — make them out to be,” Wilson said.
Wilson pointed out that there is a societal gap where children are subjectively categorized as burdens, and this needs to change.
“I believe our world needs to stop treating them that way,” Wilson said. “Whether she wants to admit it or not, she now has two children in heaven whom she will never experience the joy of parenting.”
“Is choosing abortion unforgivable?” the pastor continued. “Not at all. But I believe Alyssa’s views on the subject to be both harmful and mentally disturbing.”
Alyssa’s comments came up on her “Sorry Not Sorry” podcast, where she said that her abortions in 1993 were “absolutely the right choice for me” because she was “not equipped to be a mother.” She added that if she didn’t have the abortions then she would not have been able to experience the “great joys” that life has brought her.
Wilson encouraged the actress to try to switch perspectives and think if her own mother had aborted her 46 years ago instead of choosing life.
“Has Alyssa ever thought about that?” Wilson wondered. “Because if she’s honest with herself, that’s what would have kept Alyssa from experiencing the joys and success that she’s encountered in life. That’s the story she should be advocating for, not the current one.”
“I don’t know Alyssa personally,” Wilson said, “but I’m praying she really thinks about the totality of what she’s saying on public platforms, especially in regards to situations that encompass the reality of life and death.”
The topic of abortion hits close to home for Wilson, as his own mother decided to keep him even though she got pregnant out of high school and unmarried.
“I don’t hate Alyssa,” Wilson added. “I want nothing but the best for her, her family, and her career. But I would encourage her, in love, to really re-think the impact her words may have on other people.”
“Children should be celebrated,” Wilson concluded, “not looked down upon.”
