I was at my new favorite kayak spot, pulling my kayak out of the river when a nice young man asked me if I come here often.
"As often as I can," I answered, "Not as often as I would like."
"You know there was a shooting here," he said.
"UH...no."
"About two months ago. A boyfriend shot and killed his girlfriend. I never come here without a weapon. I have conceal and carry."
"Are they NOT safe neighborhoods around here?" I asked.
He shook his head.
This is very disturbing. Usually there is a fisherman or two here when I come, but rarely more than that. This is my FAVORITE place to launch my kayak. I love the access to some of the prettiest parts of the river I have yet seen.
I make friends with everyone I meet, making sure that I am not a target, but a friend. I am beginning to recognize some of the fishermen. Please don't tell me I cannot come here anymore for my safety. I thought of what weapons I have with me when I kayak. A boat horn. A loud boat horn. And a paddle.
Maybe I need to get a conceal and carry permit.
Or maybe, I will just trust God. That has served me well thus far.
I would appreciate prayers as my Cities4Life team and I head out once again to the sidewalks of the abortion center this morning. We are armed for spiritual battle with the only weapons we need: the righteousness of God, the truth of His Word, and the feet that bring Good News.
Maybe it would be safer to my psyche and to my physical being were I to stay home. I hear those excuses from many for why they won't join us in persuading the women on the brink of destruction to save their babies. The parallel struck me this morning with my new concerns about my kayak launch safety. Were I to give in to the fears of the potential danger at the kayak launch site, look at all the beauty and joy of the river I would never know!
If we were to give in to our fears over the toll our work on the sidewalks of the abortion center might take on us, how many little babies we have held might not be here to enjoy the beauty of any river ever?
As I lugged my kayak behind me on my little kayak cart, a small boy followed me. He was fascinated by my kayak. His parents did not seem overly friendly. We reached our cars simultaneously and I chatted with the small boy the entire time. He told me they had not had much luck fishing, but once he had caught one. A big one! The memory of the joy of that fish kept him coming back though it had been a long time since he had caught a fish.
"I wish I had a boat like that," he told me, touching my kayak.
"Well Dad," I said to the father, "You have your marching orders now."
He smiled at me. "I guess I do."
The little family waved, as we parted ways.
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For info and training to volunteer as a pro-life sidewalk counselor, please contact me at vkaseorg@cities4life.com
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Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
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