Today’s email from Shawn Carney:
Abortions on a Sunday?
Even on the Lord’s Day, there are abortionists open
for business. As hard as that may seem to believe,
it’s true.
Your prayers are needed so women don’t make a mistake
that will cost their babies their lives — and will
perhaps affect them in ways they can’t even imagine
for years to come.
But even for those who have made that mistake, there
is eternal hope. Here are a couple of stories of hurt
... and healing.
UNEXPECTED CALL
I’m going to keep the location confidential for this
first story.
“I received a call from a woman telling me she had
gotten information about our campaign from a local
church,” a local leader said, “and she wanted to know
if she could help. Her voice was a little broken, as
she explained to me that people just don’t realize
how they might feel later.”
The caller went on to say that women who think
abortion is the answer just don’t realize that years
later, they’ll be wondering about the baby — what
they would have looked like, what they might have
gone on to do. They also don’t realize that God will
hold them accountable for what they’ve done.
“As she was saying these things, and trying to speak
clearly, she was sobbing between her words,” the
leader said. “I could hear the pain in her voice.”
Finally, the 40 Days for Life volunteer asked her,
“Ma’am, did you have an abortion?”
In tears, the caller answered, “No, but my daughter
did. She was 15 at the time and I was going through
a divorce. She was so young. We thought it was the
best thing.” She considered herself responsible.
The woman was quickly told that the Lord is always
ready to forgive and Rachel’s Vineyard, for instance,
offers retreats for healing after abortion. She was
also told about the pro-life pregnancy help center
and the services it offers.
The woman expressed relief and gratitude.
“40 Days for Life is about so much more than what we
may originally think,” the leader said. “I did not
expect that call. It was totally heart-wrenching. I
have been so blessed to be part of this — to see the
power of God working and to be part of helping
someone to heal in some small way. Please know ...
you are making a difference!”
AUSTIN, TEXAS
The grandmother in the first story wanted to do
whatever she could to convince others to avoid the
path she took.
So did a woman Texas, who brought her message to the
sidewalk in front of an abortion center in south
Austin. She stood and prayed, holding a sign that
reads, “I regret my abortion.”
As she prayed, two women drove up to the building.
One of them appeared to be quite upset. The two looked
at the woman praying ... glanced at the sign ... and
walked inside.
But they weren’t inside long. After a very short stay,
they left the building, got into their car and drove
towards the exit, stopping at the sidewalk where one
of them took information about community resources.
She looked at the volunteer and said, “I can’t do it.
I just can’t do it. Thank you very much!”
One woman’s simple, prayerful presence was all it took.
Day 6 - October 1
Intention:
That knowing the shortness of life, all may value it more deeply.
Scripture:
Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
-- Ecclesiastes 12:6-7
Reflection:
God is giver of all life. Short lived or long lived, human lives are lived out in this world. The metaphors for death are many. But their meaning is clear and singular: all will die. Even so, death is not the absolute end. It is not the end of the story. For as certainly as God gave life, at death the life or spirit that God gave returns to God.
By God, we are created. For God, we live our given days. To God, we return at the end of our earthly days. And with God, we live through eternity. Clearly, all along the way, this gracious, loving God is with us. No human life is random or alone. No human life was created without purpose. Not one human life is without destiny.
All human lives, acknowledged or not, are related to God -- from beginning, to end, throughout eternity. Therefore, in this world, all human lives are to be respected and protected, for their lives are signs of God's sovereignty.
Prayer:
O God, we too often try to live in ways that ignore our coming death. We forget that our days are numbered by You, that at the end of our days your judgment awaits, that You are the Lord of our destiny.
Help us to repent daily, and then to live each day in joyful obedience. Lead us to live in the light and promise of eternity. Prepare us to live fully and sacrificially. Prepare us to die faithfully and hopefully, so that we might live forever with You. Through Jesus Christ, who has gone before us, we trust and hope and love and pray. Amen.
Rev. Paul Stallsworth
President, Lifewatch (United Methodist Church)