Turning a Place of Destruction Into an Altar Where God is Worshiped

One of our long-time volunteers, Russell, is a faithful Cities4Life sidewalk counselor at one of three Charlotte abortion facilities, located on Hebron Street. We have a few retired folk on the sidewalks. One of them was with our team yesterday helping persuade the three women who chose life over abortion. It is inspiring to watch these experienced and kind grandfathers and grandmothers gently urge young men and women to reconsider throwing their precious babies away like garbage.

Russell is a gentle, soft-spoken man. He often posts pictures of his beloved family on Facebook, and travels frequently to spend time with kids and grandkids. However, in his retirement years, he also faithfully volunteers with a gentle spirit to speak to the women who do not understand the precious value of the child they carry. Russell shares his story below of why he volunteers while so many retired folk choose a life of relaxation and ease.

Below is a journal entry from my first day at the gate of the Hebron abortion facility in the spring of 2012.  As the article ends – that day brought on a radical change in my life.  A change that has brought me “to the gate” every Wednesday for more than 5 years now.  That “gate” is a place of great sorrow and great joy.  As we gather there each week, we turn a place of evil and the destruction of life into an altar where God is worshiped and His Gospel is proclaimed.  Hope and alternatives are offered to pregnant mothers in a crisis (and their families and friends).  A voice is raised for the voiceless unborn. 

In my wildest imagination, I had not dreamed of being at the gate more than 5 years ago.  It was not on my radar. But, God called me there.  Thankfully I heard his call and joined Him there.   And here I stand in obedience and as an honor serving him.  

Experience #1 --- Day 1 Standing Vigil at the Gate

I don’t think my life will ever be the same after today as I stood vigil for an hour outside an abortion clinic on Hebron Street in Charlotte.  The experience gave me new understanding of the ancient practice of sack cloth and ashes because it feels like that would be a proper response.

As I stood and watched cars with pregnant mothers and men (perhaps the father) turn into the parking lot and go behind the wall one after another I was overwhelmed with sadness and grief.  Throughout the day I felt as if in some way the very life was being sucked out of me (just as it was being sucked out the babies).  Children knit together by God’s own hand being killed.  Women’s lives being woefully damaged forever – in a moment of evil deception, surrendering a lifetime of peace and joy.  Fathers, parents, friends (of the child and mother) complicit in bringing an end to this life – blinded by Satan’s lies.  Children in the back seat - will they remember this day?

In a strange way, at the same time I was thankful to be there to be able to pray for the babies and the mothers.  To pray for the fathers, boyfriends, parents of the mother, friends that were dropping off the mothers.  Crying out to God for his mercy and grace; praising Him for the gift of life; reading his promises in Scripture; remembering His ever faithfulness.

  

It all began as I searched for a meaningful way to observe the Season of Lent.  Reading on the internet a list of 18 ways, when I came to line 5 that read “Participate in 40 Days of Life – pray for an end to abortion by peacefully praying outside abortion clinics with others during Lent”, I stopped in my tracks, read no further and started looking for details of how to get involved.  

Praying on it all day Thursday; investigating the formal event online; thinking about going to the vigil sight then deciding to think on it another day - having an unexplained anxiousness about this.

Awakening on Friday morning, I was compelled to participate.  So, on a sunny, windy February Friday, we (another volunteer and I) prayed as each car turned in.

- Prayed that somehow, they would have a change of heart about having an abortion.  

- Prayed that God would have mercy on them.  

- Prayed that the doctors, nurses and staff inside would have a change of heart.   

- Prayed that some way the “clinic” would cease to exist. Praying for an end to abortion. 

- Praying for the mothers who must live with their decision and the impact on their lives.  

- Praying for the fathers (many seemed especially hardhearted) that they would stop encouraging and even pushing for the abortion.  

- Praying that the hearts of the fathers would be turned to their children. That they will man-up and take responsibility.

As the day ends, going back to “regular life” is not possible.  I will never be the same after standing at Hebron.  I pray for renewed energy and strength after having this broken, distraught feeling.  At the same time, I’m thankful that this year God is giving me a Lenten practice that has depth and life changing potential.  I move forward with these 40 days and watch to see God at work.

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Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.

1 John 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.