Afraid of the Dark?
Do you think going to pray at Planned Parenthood is scary? If so, you are not alone. I for one was VERY afraid to do it. In fact, at the beginning, it seemed that every time I went, something happened to try to deter me. I soon realized that it was spiritual warfare. There are forces that DO NOT want Christians to be there, praying! Those forces prey on fear, and cause things to happen to try to keep those who are afraid from coming back. Things have happened on the sidewalk that on the surface appear frightening, but really, most of it is just the devil’s “smoke and mirrors“.
This past weekend I went to Kennywood with my son, his wife and my two young grandchildren. It was Fright Night weekend, so we were planning on getting out of the park before dark, so as not to scare the little ones. But before it was even dark, the spooky music started playing and the fog machines started pumping out white smoke, which laid on the ground in a swirling mist. We were walking towards the exit when a man dressed as a chain saw maniac jumped out in front of us with his fake chainsaw blaring. You should have seen the look on my seven year old grandson’s face! As we left the park, we had to walk through the dark tunnel to exit the park, and of course, the tunnel was filled with smoke and people dressed in costumes ominously lurking about. My grandchildren clung to us in fear as we walked out, and we comforted them as best we could. When we got to the other side of the tunnel, and were back in the “normal” world…looking back at the tunnel behind me, I could still hear the screams and shrieks coming from it.
Once removed from the spooky atmosphere, I thought about how silly the costumed people would look if they were simply walking down the aisle of Walmart in broad daylight. They were only scary because they had the darkness on their side. The smoke machines and foreboding music were simply “parlor tricks” that made them seem to have the power of evil…when in reality, they were simply young college kids making minimum wage to dress up in silly costumes.
I decided to write about this experience because I see a similarity to what we do when we go to Planned Parenthood to pray. If you are ever battling a fear of going to the vigil, and think it may be the evil one trying to keep you from bringing the light of Christ to the darkest place in our city…just imagine how unimpressive Satan will appear when he stands in the light of Truth at the final judgement. Compared to the Lion of Judah…Satan will look like a tiny, sniveling mouse.
I remember as a kid in the 70’s, watching an episode of the Brady Bunch. One of the girls (maybe Jan?) had to give a speech in front of a large audience and suffered from stage fright. Someone gave her the advice of imagining the audience sitting there in their underwear. As she stood on the stage, petrified…she looked out at all the people and started giggling. She realized there was nothing to be afraid of and her stage fright was gone.
We should do the same thing with our fear of going to the sidewalk. Just think of whatever scares you most about it, and think of those silly college students dressed as monsters, or that intimidating audience of people dressed only in their underwear. Then, look at Jesus, and say, “Jesus, I trust in you”. And go where God leads you. Be not afraid!
Cathy & Peggy – 7:30-9:00
(From Cathy) – Peg and I were joined by two members of my parish, Christ the King, Mary B. and Lauren, and Anthony, who led us in the Rosary. This was Lauren’s first time and was certainly an eye-opener for her being downtown. It was a busy shift with 5? Individuals and couples going inside, with no one wanting to talk. The first was a young teen who was dropped off by a woman, obviously not her mother. Conrad told me later that he had seen the woman before, she is a “runner.” Peg talked to the girl through the window while she was in the waiting area, but to no avail. This appears to be illegal.???
Conrad & Cathy & Beverly
(From Conrad) – It was very busy from 9-11. Many were going in and coming out.
(From Judy) – Lots and lots of traffic going in and coming out the PP doors today. Towards the later part of my shift there was a young gal standing near the door looking out to us as we all were praying the rosary. I watched her for at least 15 minutes and she constantly was wiping the tears as they fell from her eyes. She was holding the brown bag. I believe she went in earlier with a guy but ignored my help. As her ride pulled up and she came out I walked along side her and said “I know you’re hurting, that can be reversed, please take this info and look it over (which she did), I am praying for you”. And she got in the car. As the windows were dark, I could not see if the driver reacted at all. Very, very sad to see. As this is the year of Hope I will pray for a hopeful outcome.
Larry – 11am – 1pm
(From Larry) – Busy shift today. We had a lot of help, thank God! One group from Saint Aidan‘s, and another group from Saint Agnes in North Huntington. Also Bill stop by. He seems to have excellent skills for a sidewalk advocate. He said he’s going to training this month. He’ll be a good addition to the team! We had about five couples come out of Planned Parenthood. We talked to one couple and I asked the lady if she’s going to have a baby and she said that’s none of your business. I answered that’s a fair answer. And I said we would pray for her. Towards the end of my shift, a mother let a young girl out of her car and she ran over to Planned Parenthood and started talking to us, and the mother was screaming at the top of her lungs to get in there. The girl didn’t look like she wanted to be there. The mother drove off, assuming to park.
Judy, Chris & Kevin – 1-3pm
Joining me in prayer today were Kevin from Regina Coeli Parish and Arlene, Mary Ann, and Georgette from St. Joseph the Worker Parish. The beautiful weather brought out many more people onto the street, not always a good thing for us. Sidewalk Advocate Judy, also a St. Joseph the Worker parishioner, was vigilant as always, trying to approach every woman entering or exiting PP. When a woman would go inside, Judy would hold the photo of the 6-week old baby in the womb, hoping they would be affected by it. A soon-to-be Sidewalk Advocate, Bill, was vigorous as well, trying to engage women in conversation. From what I saw, and heard, he will be a great addition! We prayed the Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, Chaplets of Divine Mercy, and a Loreto Litany.
Eileen & Steve – 3-5pm
We finished the day with mostly workers leaving the building. There was positive feedback from some who passed us today. Transitioning from the previous shift, we did have one very vocal lady stating that we were shaming those who entered PP. We were praying a rosary so we didn’t reply to her screaming. She then walked away. Transgenders did go in and out today.
When JESUS returns we will not have to pray in front of this death camp !! It is always great to meet the 40 days team & the other wonderful people that come here to PRAY !!