Volunteers in Seattle say one simple question was able to settle down a very angry woman, who had walked past the 40 Days for Life vigil several times, “hurling loud rage at us,” as one participant put it.
The question?
“What’s your story?”
The woman seemed surprised that the volunteers were really interested in her. She told of how she’d had an abortion when she was a drug addict, and how it was all for the better since the child would have ended up in foster care and had a horrible life.
“By the end of the conversation, she told us we were okay,” the vigil participant said. “But she also said our being there was painful for her. I had heard that those who reacted the strongest had the most hurt.”
After reflecting on this encounter, the volunteer was moved to prayer:
“May our presence on this sidewalk be a bridge to know the comfort of the Father. May this time have a distinct flavor of compassion. May this be a time we humble ourselves and ask for God’s wisdom and help to show His heart. May we have an attitude that makes us approachable.
“Please pray for this woman and her companion and that God willing, more conversation can happen and that Christ can wash and mend these lives.”
