NO END IN SIGHT…
One of the things that can discourage us is not seeing the end of abortion in sight. We can feel sluggish because we can’t perceive an immediate path to decisive victory in this battle. We may also feel our victories are swallowed up in the enormity of the evil we daily witness.
What has helped me combat these feelings is thinking of the early church and how zealously those first Christians evangelized and rendered charitable works to their fellow men. At a time when the entire world was pagan, they could have viewed such activities as inconsequential or even futile in changing global society. But they must have deeply understood how eternally treasured any work or victory is and how central these deeds are in the imitation of Christ. I think they also understood that Christ can work whatever good he wants through our efforts, even those that often seem futile. Luke 5:4-6 is an example of this: “…He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish…”
While we face much frustration and sadness in our work on the sidewalk, we are nonetheless blessed with numerous victories — we’ve seen 3 babies spared in the past month! We value these victories beyond measure, as they have made a facet of reality eternally brighter. We also recall that God can and will work great future good through us as long as we do our part. If you feel you have a part to play, sign up at www.40daysforlife.com/pittsburgh. We need you! Ask yourself truly, what would Jesus do?
Andrew
Bill & Tracy: 7:30 – 9am
(From Tracy) – The 7:30 to 9AM shift was flying solo (actually, trio!) this morning. Bill, Anthony and I held down the fort at the sidewalk. It was uneventful, for the most part. Three couples and two singles went in. None were rude or dismissive, which was nice. Two of the couples accepted literature.
Beth S: 9-11am
Last week, a woman stopped to encourage us saying that years ago someone witnessing at PP gave her 8-year-old son a pen from PCUC. He asked, so she had to tell him what an unborn baby was and he asked why we were there. When she explained abortion, he asked how could this happen because ” babies are made in the image of God.”
Many thanks to this Mom for sharing her story and telling her loving son the truth.
And a special “thank you so very much” to all our substitutes who come to our aid. Charlie was a true “life guard” as he stood with me at a very busy PP. But we’ll not be discouraged by PP business today.
As long as our substitutes help, we can be there.
Barb K & Rose: 11am – 1pm
Not many entering but several exiting. Some took cards. I spoke to a woman who was there with a friend with complications after taking the abortion pill. I gave her the card with the reversal info to give to her friend and said we would pray for her. Rose had a good conversation with a prolife young man. We prayed many rosaries.
Sandy, Kim & Mike: 1-3pm
(From Kim) – Sandy, Mike and I had great weather, and safe peaceful vigil. There was a woman who was smoking in front of PP that Sandy tried to engage but was quick to bring up the rape argument. I asked if there was anything she needed that I could pray for and she curtly replied that people not be harassed in front of PP. So I said nothing further and just prayed But when she left Sandy said God bless you and she replied back God bless you too. So at least all ended on the positive side. I answered questions from a woman interested in 40 days and gave her a brochure. She thought that it was just Catholic and of course I said it was nondenominational and anyone can join. We had two people spontaneous stop and pray with us. It was funny. The woman jogging past us put on her breaks so hard it looked like she hit a brick wall. Then she folded her hands prayerfully and helped us finish a decade of the rosary. And without a word jogged away. Sandy was able to hand out 9 brochures. Overall it seemed a slower day for PP. Thank God for all the blessings we received today!
Virginia & Bill E: 3-5pm
The 3-5 shift highlights the end of the day ( obviously). The stream of young students starts about 3:25, followed by a fairly long exit of workers from PP, none of which were interested in talking to us. There were 2-3 girls leaving with the suspicious brown bags, who refused any help. We had a few drive/ by giving unkind gestures and a few walkers who showed their support with kind words.