I do not usually work as a sidewalk counselor on Saturdays in front of the abortion clinic, though I am there many weekdays speaking on behalf of the babies. On one of the rare days I showed up on Saturday, I saw a beautiful young couple stopping cars right and left. Moms flocking to the abortion center paused and this young couple spoke with them. Often the women took Cities4Life literature....and some went on our HELP Monroe Pregnancy Center RV to see their baby on the mobile ultrasound unit.
Who was this dynamic duo who were so effective in turning abortion-minded moms’ hearts to their babies? Cory and Sara Montague introduce themselves in today’s blog, and tell us why they dedicate every Saturday to speaking for the unborn.
I stand on the sidewalk in obedience to our Lord Jesus for the unborn babies that deserve life; for the mothers who think abortion is their only option. I stand so moms with unplanned pregnancies know they are not alone; that we, along with many other Christians in their community, are ready to come alongside them right now and help. I stand to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, that He came so all may be saved and have eternal life in Him.
My wife, Sara, and I first arrived at the abortion clinic in 2016 with a prayer walk group through Love Life. Our hearts broke when we saw all the cars pulling into the clinic that day. There were so many that it left an impression on us we couldn't ignore. It was through the prayer walk, coupled with our Church's involvement, that eventually lead us to the sidewalk to have a chance to speak with these mothers and fathers before they made that decision they couldn’t undo. At first, it was very discouraging for me and there were many times I felt useless. Cars were not stopping and I was constantly berated by the pro-abortion volunteers. "Maybe this isn't for me..." I would tell myself.
However, it wasn't too long before a car actually stopped. And then another, and another, until one day a mom chose life! To see and hear of moms choosing life almost every day, making that choice to turn their focus away from themselves and put it on God and their child, is such a glorious decision to witness. It is not always convenient and there are days I am tired, but there are real lives at stake here, so my wife and I intentionally inconvenience ourselves on Saturday mornings to stand in the gap and give a voice to the voiceless. Our hope and prayer is that one day abortion will be unthinkable, but until then, we must take a stand. Will you stand with us?
Have you ever heard in the Bible where it speaks about planting seeds? Some take root and grow and some do not. What I learned from this story is that regardless of the result, we should never stop planting seeds.
For me, seeds have been planted and watered by people and circumstances throughout my life. God has caused them to slowly grow, transforming me into the woman He knew I would be, with the passions HE gave me.
Seeds were planted when as a little girl, my mom and I held pro-life signs on the side of N. Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa, Florida. Even at a young age, I knew what we were doing and why. I knew babies in the womb deserved to live and to be valued, and that some people chose to kill babies in the womb, which was wrong. My mom taught me that all babies are a blessing.
When I was only 16 in high school, my sister, who was 18 and living a sinful life of destruction, discovered she was pregnant. This pregnancy became her turning point where she chose to give up her foolish lifestyle and put her baby above all else. Seeds were again planted for me. This baby, who wasn’t even my own child, was the greatest blessing I never knew I needed. The experience of helping my sister raise her son gave me a heart for teen moms, always wanting to help those I saw in similar situations. I think this is when God started making those seeds take root in my heart.
In college when I had the opportunity to write about any topic of my choice and present it to my class, I chose the topic of abortion. My reasoning was that far too many people were uneducated about the truth and reality of abortion, and I thought if I could just share the heartbreaking truth with them, maybe it could help save a life one day. I gave my speech and presented a heart-wrenching, graphic video of abortion photos and statistics along with a song called “Happy Birthday” about a dad who regretted the abortion of his child, remembering every year the birthday the baby never had. Not only was the Lord planting seeds in my heart, He was now using me to plant seeds in others. A classmate a year or two later remembered my presentation on abortion and said he would never forget it.
Fast-forward to about two years ago. I was attending Kerygma church in Concord on a weekly basis, hearing updates about the clinic ministry and how many moms were choosing life, feeling like I could never go to the clinic and do that ministry myself. I felt like I would not be equipped—fear was stopping me.
Then one Sunday, Justin Reeder came and spoke about his vision for his new ministry. He was starting Love Life Charlotte, and wanted our church to partner for a prayer walk around the clinic. Given my whole church was going, my husband Cory and I went. I didn’t know what to expect, but stopping in front of Latrobe Drive, all I kept thinking was that this place looked like a McDonalds drive through, with cars constantly coming and going—but each of these cars represented a baby whose life was ending at that very moment, in the building right before my eyes.
My heart immediately broke. I remember sobbing right there in front of that clinic. I could no longer ignore what was going on. I HAD to take action. I HAD to do something. I could not be silent. Doing nothing was no longer an option. I KNEW God was calling me to this ministry. I knew why those seeds were being planted throughout my life. I knew God was preparing me and refining me for such a time as this.
Cory and I started coming on Saturdays to watch and learn what Cities4Life was doing. I wanted to be ON THE FRONT LINES of this battle field. Fear of being ill-equipped no longer stopped me. I was willing and I was available. I jumped right in with two feet and have not looked back. Daily I ask the Lord to use me, to give me the words and actions necessary to reach these mothers and fathers… and He does. I don’t have to think, I just have to listen to the Lord and obey. He guides me and I follow.
What seeds have been planted in your life, and where is God calling you?
**********
To learn about our ministry, please consider attending our free informational open house May 10. Click HERE for information.
**********
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.