Day 17…Thanks to our faithful volunteers!

Confronting Anger

Praying in front of PP takes a bit of courage and a thick skin.   And a desire to witness, and profess, the Truth- that all of us: the pray-ers; the abortion doctors; the nurses; the staff; and the passersby, are made in God’s image, and that all our lives began at conception.

As I read last week’s shift reports, I couldn’t help but be struck by the reported anger and, yes, violence (the fetal models’ destruction).  How should we react to the anger, profanities, and hatred we sometimes face? 

It is not easy to “take it”, but that is what we are called to do.  One of the hard lessons I’ve learned over the years is that it rarely does any good to respond to the ugly comments or try to engage the person in a conversation.

How does what we are asked to endure on the sidewalk compare to the physical suffering and torture of Jesus’ Passion?   We hear bad words directed at us, ridicule, and sometimes raised finger.  Doesn’t seem much by comparison, does it?

“… bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.”  Luke 6:28-29

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”  Matthew 5:11

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5:44

                                                                                                                                –Chris

Read on for today’s sidewalk stories…

Joe & Greg

(from Joe) Sunny day with Greg on the streets for Christ.

Low avg number of women seeking abortion, noticing that public abuse towards us seems to be less than pass campaigns, but mothers are still paying to have their children mutilated.

Jesus Christ have mercy on us, blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us!!!

Ed & Kathy/Nikki

(From Kathy) – About 6 women entered the building this morning, some appeared to be staff.  I passed out green brochures to several passersby.  Maybe one client accepted resources upon exiting building.  Greg conversed with a young lady named Brooke who is considering joining Sidewalk Advocates. I hope it works out. Greg, Ed, and myself covered this hour

I (Nikki) filled in for the 10am hour and had the pleasure of meeting Ed, who was also filling in for an empty time slot. You do meet the best people in the pro-life movement! It was very quiet and peaceful while I was there. Sadly, two couples went in…both very callous and determined. It was a good thing to do on a Friday during Lent…be there to pray for those little ones, who, like Jesus, have been rejected. Being rejected by strangers is painful enough…what must it feel like to be rejected by ones own mother and father? Those poor little ones. All they are doing is growing and trying to get big enough to be born some day. What a shock it must be to them when they are suddenly ripped out of their safe place, near their mother’s heart.

Pat & Seamus

Pat and I served together and as usual, our shift had the good, the bad and the ugly. Pat and I pack a good one-two punch as Pat kneels and prays devoutly wearing a 40 Days placard and he also mans the display. Pat’s fervent and humble presence on the sidewalk is something I find so encouraging and uplifting. On the opposite side I meditate to hymns, the Divine Mercy Chaplet in song and a Rosary via Bluetooth and pause to offer a brochure and words to possibly change minds as women arrive. Most young ladies entering PP seem determined to avoid eye contact or accept an offer of help, and I must assume, they are coached by PP staff in advance when they make their appointment. A woman entering PP is seldom caught off guard. We received the normal two to three vulgar comments from passersby, but they have little detrimental effect. No one can wound us; we stand in the breach. We proudly wear the armor of God.
The ugly was a mother and daughter who entered PP and Pat and I both agreed that the daughter, who looked lost, confused, and deeply troubled, looked to be no more than fourteen. Without exchanging a word, Pat and I instinctively did a deep dive into solemn prayer as we tried to absorb the shock. That pierce to the heart was hard to take. That pierce to the heart is hard to take.
On the positive side, we did serve Him “For the sake of His sorrowful passion…” and that goal accomplished, there is no shift and no day that is a failure. We were blessed with a number of kind comments of thanks for our witness and wishes of God’s blessings. We were also blessed when a mother and young daughter (10?) passed by and the fetal models caught the enthusiastic attention of the young girl. Pat gently approached them and offered a take-home fetal model to the young girl and Mom who gladly accepted the gift. A pair of motorcyclists with roaring pipes stopped at the light on Liberty and Smithfield and intensely looked at us and the signage. I foolishly braced for the insults, mockery, or vulgarity. But God sent His love. One of the motorcyclists made the sign of the cross and gave a thumbs-up. Thank you, Jesus. That works for me. Another day closer to closing the “free-standing funeral home”.
Lord, “…have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

Seamus

Susan, Dan & Joanne

Val & Mike

(from Val) Pretty quiet for the most part.  A few women came out of PP and then the workers started leaving.  The couple laying on the sidewalk drew a lot of attention.  They were there before our shift and still there after we left. Received the usual negative comments/remarks.  One of the regulars who passes by us every Friday stopped and asked us to pray for him.  So we stood with him and said some prayers.

We could hear/see a group of people starting to gather down on the corner.  Police showed up on their motorcycles.  They said a protest was taking place and it would probably be best if we left.