The "pro-choice" escort at the abortion center decided it was beneficial to go to our Cities4Life pro-life sidewalk counselor's children who were drawing on the sidewalk with chalk and tell them their daddy was "an example of bullying for Jesus."
I was the only one who heard her do that, and went over immediately and told the children, "Your daddy is an example of someone who believes with all his heart in speaking truth and the love of Jesus to help others."
How low do you have to stoop to believe it is in a child's best interest to undermine their parents, and cast doubt on their parent's heartfelt, sincere faith and beliefs?
Fortunately, our battle is NOT flesh and blood, but the spiritual realm of darkness. We have as our vanguard the spiritual forces of good, and evil shall not prevail against them.
Admittedly, sometimes it feels like evil is winning. Three babies were saved from death yesterday, but at least thirty died at that terrible place. The video above is of the baby of one of the mamas who chose life. The mobile ultrasound is provided by another great ministry: HELP Crisis Pregnancy Center in Monroe. Along with our ultrasound nurse, Sherry, I had the extreme pleasure of counseling this mama.
When she came aboard the mobile ultrasound RV parked just outside the clinic, I first spoke with her about her situation, asking what brought her to believe that abortion was an option. After she told me, I talked with her about God. She said she was a Christian. I asked if she was sure she was going to heaven. She was not sure. I asked if she knew what the Bible said about that.
"I think so...but I want you to tell me."
So I did.
When she understood the message that if we understand we are sinners, repent of our sins, accept the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, and believe He is Lord, we are assured we are going to heaven, she broke into a huge smile. It almost looked as though she were holding her breath until that wondrous truth was proclaimed.
"And when we do all that," I continued, "the Holy Spirit indwells us, and guides us and helps us. I believe it is His voice that prompted you to leave the abortion center."
She nodded, the smile widening.
"And when you did and came here, what did you feel?"
"Relief."
Yes. I could see that.
We talked more about how faith should lead us to action, that a true faith in God should propel us to abandon the sin we know is in defiance of Him. She instantly volunteered that she needed to stop all sexual activity until marriage. What a soft heart, suddenly eager to follow the God she knows, but had not been listening to.
Several times, she looked at me and Sherry and said, "I am so glad you were here."
"So are we," I said.
Prior to that beautiful encounter, one abortion-minded couple stopped their car and spoke with me for at least half an hour, and then two other counselors spoke with them as they sat in their car. They were torn. They claimed to be Christian, knew abortion was wrong, but still wrestled with the choice to abort or not. To my utter dismay, they entered the abortion center. I was crushed. I had said all I knew to say, as I am sure did both my fellow counselors. Still, they chose death for their child. I felt completely dejected and distraught, even though I know ultimately the choice is theirs, not mine.
My Bible study this morning included these verses from Amos 8: 11-12.
"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD,
"when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east,
searching for the word of the LORD,
but they will not find it.
This is a frightful message if you don't know God. There will come a day when God will send a famine, not of food, but of being unwilling and unable to hear God's words. This is not because God doesn't wish us to hear Him, but because we have ignored and defied Him for so long that He will finally give us our desires to close His words from us. Ultimately, the unbelievers will stagger, recognizing they are dying without God, but will not find Him. Closing our ears to God may prevent us from hearing inconvenient truths we don't wish to hear, but in the end, that hardness and defiance will lead to death. God's patience will not last forever. The study reminded me of the mama I counseled on the RV when I asked if she wanted to hear God's words on how to be saved: "Please, I want you to tell me."
An open heart, asking and receiving. Ears listening.
Lord, let me be like that!
To cap the day, another mom I work with sent me photos of her newborn. I have permission to share them. She says the baby is so sweet, and she is so happy.
The sting of the couple that heard all I had to offer and still rejected their baby was not quite as painful as I gazed at the photos of the baby who is now alive, and beloved. Still...nagging thoughts: If I were more perfect, spoke more eloquently, quoted more scripture...would more babies live? I don't know. I can only do the best I can do. That is all anyone can do. If the offering is to God, He will use it ultimately to His glory.
Today is Giving Tuesday, a day to bless the wonderful charities and ministries that uplift those less fortunate than we are. Last night, very late, I received a text from another mom I work with. One of our wonderful network of Cities4Life supporters donated beds to children who wanted beds and pillows for Christmas. I ordered the sheets and pillows with funds from another donor. The beds arrived last night, along with one set of sheets. (The other set arrives today.) Here is the text from the mom, and a picture she was happy to have me share:
Merry Christmas kids. Remember it is the Love of Christ that sent those sheets and beds your way. As you snuggle in their warmth and joy, remember God, and open your ears to His merciful voice.
************
Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of
life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are,
yet without sin.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.