Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart…
Joel 2:12
The first two words of this Scripture verse, often heard in Lent, have really touched my heart lately. Even now…even now, after all you’ve done…I still want you back…I still love you.
Even now, after you’ve hurt someone…or after you’ve stolen something…or after you’ve had an abortion. Just like the loving father in the parable of the prodigal son, God always longs for us to come back to Him with our whole hearts, no matter what we’ve done.
So many women need to hear how much God still loves them…even now…and wants them to be released from the pain and sorrow of a past abortion. There is always an open door to forgiveness and healing when we turn back to God with our whole hearts.
If you or someone you love needs help getting started, please reach out to one of the many organizations dedicated to the cause. Here are just a few:
https://hopeafterabortion.com/
https://sistersoflife.org/healing-after-abortion/
https://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/shockwaves/default.aspx
-Jen
SIDEWALK REPORTS
7-9 AM +++ Barbara, Richard, and Rose
It was mighty cold today … but the sun was shining and the birds were singing and the bowling ball size ice chunks had melted. You could expect shrieks and sobs to escape from the building … so red brick and comfortable looking … but the doors and windows are tightly closed. Abortion carefully muffles distasteful thoughts with distracting suggestions such as, “Time for a coffee break!” God designs the little baby so carefully in Mother’s body, that no frightened or agony sounds from the little one can even momentarily escape … no one gives a parting embrace to the little bloodied body.We stood our ground, grateful to offer our sisters a chance to change their mind … to let their baby go home with them today. It feels really bad that, as far as we know, no woman who went in, changed her mind.
Barbara
9-11 AM +++ Kathy and Mark
The first hour of the shift was relatively quiet.The second hour I had the opportunity to talk with two young women on their way to the bus stop. Both were against abortion but thought there may be exceptions but they themselves would still choose life. They accepted yellow cards.
Kathy
A middle aged woman approached me and motioned for resources. She told me that she had an abortion at the age of 14 and proclaimed of God’s forgiveness to her for that action. While she was speaking, a motorist stopped at the traffic light began shouting at Dan saying that all he cares about is abortion and not caring for the child long term. Mark came to Dan’s aid and the woman I was speaking to began praying out loud for the motorist. The light changed and the motorist sped away. The woman and I said “goodbye.”
Katie had two conversations with women on their way into pp and accepted resources. The one woman, who told Katie she was there for an ultrasound and exited, I met on my way to Phil’s and I encouraged her to contact WCN. She is nine weeks and said she would call them.
11 AM-1 PM +++ Sheila and Libby
There wasn’t much traffic in and out of P.P. but an amazing presence of prayer warriors on the sidewalk. A few of them came to pray during their lunch break then went on their way.
Sheila
1-3 PM +++ Elaine and Bernie
Fr. Jeremy Mohler, Mary, Katie, Rose, and Bernie were some of the dedicated pro-lifers that were here today during the vigil. We offered up prayers and shared our faith especially in the pro-life movement.
Elaine
Mary was handing out a pro-life magnet which said “Each child is sent into this world by God with a unique message to deliver, a new song to sing, a personal act of love to bestow.”
HOUR OF MERCY
We are so grateful to Fr. Frank Kurimsky for responding to our request for priests to pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy at the vigil at 3 PM, a time known as the “hour of mercy” since we believe that our Lord died on the cross at that time of day. May God bless you for your generous sacrifice!
3-5 PM +++ Pat, Val, and Mike
It was perhaps the noisiest shift Val, Mike, and I ever endured. We had noises of all kinds and some of them were large loud jarring. We also had three visitors bother us mildly for about 10 minutes, but we learn once again that when you start praying people like that tend to disappear. We were grateful to have Rose (who had been there since 2) and Fr. Frank with us for most of the first hour.
Pat
5-7 PM +++ Bill and David
Friday evenings seem to be very quiet and uneventful. Only one white haired lady went into Planned Parenthood while we were there and she was the only person that came out while we were there. Some passersby returned our hellos with their hellos. Only a few had foul responses. My shift buddy David mentioned how people don’t stop to have a conversation anymore they just disagree as they move along. I’ve noticed that but have chalked it up to covid. I don’t remember the last time that I had an ongoing conversation with someone on the sidewalk of agreement of disagreement. But maybe soon things will change for the better on different fronts. Until then keep safe and God Bless.
Bill
A really well done, reflection, Jen.
Thank you, Pat!