Dear Friend of Life:
As we celebrate the Advent season, looking expectantly to Christmas and celebrating the birth of our Savior, we wanted to share with you another amazing variety of praise reports…
- Two of our national team members went to the sidewalk on Saturday with another Sidewalk Advocate in Tampa, FL, and there were THREE woman who chose LIFE! Praise God!
- Aside from these three lives saved, we received reports of at least FOUR MORE babies saved around the country!
- Last night, I got a text from our Program Director, Laura, in Louisville, KY: another baby was born to a mother who chose life a few months ago …and we’ll be sharing the picture of this precious baby boy very soon!
In short, the GOOD NEWS keeps coming! It’s just a reminder to us that when God’s people answer the call to be His hands and feet, seeking to love women and men in crisis, miracles happen.
We are in the season of miracles! We celebrate the fact that Our God came to show us the way of love, to redeem us and lead us back to Himself. In the same way, in every client we reach out to and seek to help, we see the pattern of Our Lord’s love.
Keep in mind: They rejected Him, so many times, we will be rejected, too. But we trust that — in every interaction — essential seeds have been planted that He will water and use to bring that person back to life some day.
We want to thank YOU, our partners in this great work, for all that you do to keep this ministry going and growing! Indeed, this work doesn’t happen but for the Lord working through generous hearts like YOURS!
As we anticipate Christmas, we wanted to give you an opportunity to honor someone who has been an inspiration to you in the battle for life. As of this past week, we just launched our Christmas gift campaign where you can make a gift in someone’s honor or memory — and give the BEST GIFT to others: the gift of LIFE!
Make a Christmas gift at sidewalkadvocates.org/Christma
Note that with about every $25 donated, we are seeing a life saved from abortion!
My husband and I made a financial gift in honor of my mother who passed away about 22 months ago. My mom loved the work of Sidewalk Advocates for Life and often teared up when I told her about a baby saved. I often think of the monumental sacrifices she made as my mother, and the incredible lessons she taught me about the sanctity of human life.
I couldn’t think of any better way to honor her than make a Christmas gift in her memory to this work so that other children may be saved from abortion.
This is one of my favorite pictures of us from my childhood! I look at this and I’m reminded of her kind, loving and generous heart. Her heart was so sensitive to the plight of women and children that, at times, she would tear up and wonder how our country could allow something like abortion.
This is only my second Christmas without her, so it’s not going to be easy. My mom was an abundant gift-giver — she LOVED watching your face light up when you opened up a present from her — and Christmas was her absolute favorite time of year. Still, I’m so grateful the Lord allowed her to be here for 30+ years of my life, and I’m going to do all that I can to honor her memory and her great love.
I often whisper, Mom, I’m going to go end abortion for you. I’m resolving at this time of year to sacrifice what I can of my time, talent and treasure to put myself more at the disposal of what He is doing to end abortion.
I’m so grateful for all the miracles along the way and those who have inspired us to keep up the good fight. Join me in making a Christmas gift in memory or honor of a loved one who has inspired you at sidewalkadvocates.org/Christma
Thank you for being a part of the greatest work on earth! Happy Advent!
In His Love,
Lauren Muzyka
Executive Director
Sidewalk Advocates for Life
lauren@sidewalkadvocates.org
sidewalkadvocates.org
DEVOTIONAL (December 1 – December 13, 2016): “Seeking the Lost”
by Lauren Muzyka, Executive Director, Sidewalk Advocates for LifeVerses: “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.'” — Matthew 18:12-14
Reflection: I think back to our time on the sidewalk in Tampa this past Saturday — and the victory of THREE precious babies saved!
As we sought to reach out to every client, we utilized something called a “Blessing Bag”: a bag of store-bought goodies that showed the client we cared and wanted to help. On the front of the bag was a note + coupon for a free pregnancy test and sonogram.
As we called out to each client, lovingly, across the parking lot or spoke to them through the fence, we got laser-focused on each person, letting them know that we loved them, we cared for them, and we had real help for them. The two women that we had the pleasure of walking over to the pregnancy center teared up when we told them they could do this — they were strong enough, and we’d help them figure out a plan where they could continue with their plans and be a hero for their child.
I often reflect on these verses, knowing God doesn’t want anyone to be lost. As we go to the sidewalk to be His hands and feet, we pour ourselves out in that spirit, praying and advocated for them and their children. And even if we are rejected, we have faith that He will use that love to plant seeds in their life, and these seeds may be used to save their souls later.
Let us pray: Dear Lord, Thank you for your abundant love, and for your grace and mercy!
We pray for all the clients who did choose life this past week …and we lift up to you those who didn’t. We pray that you would help them to be healed and come to know you and the abundant life you offer them. We pray they come to see the amazing gift of life you offer through your son, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for each person who has answered your call to be a Sidewalk Advocate, prayer partner or financial supporter of this ministry — indeed, the great army of light you are raising up to end abortion!
We have nothing without you, Lord, and as we count our blessings and all that you have done for us, through us, and with those around us, we give our heartfelt thanks and praise to you. Amen.
