Our Power

Yesterday was a depressing day at the abortion mill for the sidewalk counselors. The sun was relentless and it was oppressively hot. The longer we stand there as the morning wanes, the smaller the patch of shade becomes. Soon we have a choice. Stand in the shade, on the other side of the street, or remain in the brutal sun where the girls can hear us call out to them. My lips have become so parched and burned that the outer edges are a little swollen and raw. I may have to break out the umbrella hat. (I just am worried that my umbrella hat might not convey the proper gravity to this terrible place.)

Cars streamed into the abortion mill parking lot all morning, like I have never seen it. Only one stopped for me. The woman was stony, but polite.
"I respect what you all are doing," she said, "But you don't know why I am here and it is none of your business."
She repeated we didn't know why she was there a few times, and I said, "Yes we do. All they do here are abortions." That silenced her. The man driving her never spoke, but we had the sense that he was not sold on abortion. Despite her icy anger, he did not roll up the window or drive away. So I launched into my plea along with Rebekah. We were quite surprised that they listened. Even Ice Woman was clearly listening. They finally agreed to take our literature and the man finally spoke, "We are going in, but we will discuss what you have told us." They drove into the parking lot and entered the only place hotter than the sidewalks at that moment.

As far as we know, no one chose life while we were there. Wilting from the heat, we all finally evaporated from the scene, all wishing we could stay but there is only so much one can do. And despite feeling terrible that not a single woman overtly responded to our plea, we all know the results are not in our hands. We do not have that power.

However, all of us, no matter what we do in service to God do have some power. We have the power to choose to obey His commands and promptings in our life. We have the power to stand so close to the evil He has asked us to fight reaching a hand in to those who are perishing that our eyeburns singe and our lips swell. We have the power to stand in the light. We have the power to speak on behalf of the voiceless whether they listen or not.

And then we have the power to go to bed at 7:30 pm and sleep twelve hours, dreaming of babies held in the arms of mothers who love them.
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Acts 1:8 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Corinthians 6:14 

And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

Ephesians 6:10 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Ephesians 1:19 

And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

2 Corinthians 13:11 

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Timothy 1:8 

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,