Standing outside Planned Parenthood, I was feeling very discouraged seeing so many women and men walking in without giving even a glance in my direction.
I felt desperate the more I was ignored by the cars rushing past me. How do I reach all of them? How do I show them the truth of what Planned Parenthood does and offer them better options?
I began to pray for the Lord to grant me patience and peace within my heart. To help others, I needed the confidence that only He can provide. I adjusted my blue vest and gathered my gift bags full of resources, holding them out with a newfound enthusiasm as I smiled at each individual approaching me.
There was one man who was pacing back and forth, shuffling his feet, and kicking rocks along the sidewalk in a state of clear distress. I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to reach out to him, so I said, “Hi sir, if your girlfriend or wife is still inside, it’s not too late to go get her and cancel her appointment. We can help her with whatever she needs. I know what the both of you are going through is hard. We have free resources and would love to share them with the both of you.” The man turned and stared at me blankly, as if in deep thought, and I gazed back with a soft smile, hoping he would know I cared for both of them. After a long while his face became defeated, and he looked away.
An hour later, the woman he came with appeared at the entrance in a wheelchair. The man rushed towards her. He looked taken aback at her condition. — clearly not expecting her to be pushed out in a wheelchair because … Isn’t an abortion supposed to be a safe procedure? One with only slight pain and no long-term damage? Isn’t she supposed to be able to walk out of the facility afterwards? My heart broke for this couple — from the lies this abortion facility had sold to them. I prayed as they crossed the parking lot to their car and helped the woman inside … and as the man looked once more at me, before getting in the car and disappearing from my vision.
With a heavy heart, I continued offering gift bags to more clients driving in. The Holy Spirit reminded me that I will not be able to save everyone from this abortion facility, but that they will see me and hear me offering them love and support. It is up to them to receive that gift. (And you never know what seeds are being planted that may blossom in the future, God willing.)
A little while later, a car drove up and slowed once they saw me waving. There was a young couple inside, and I approached them, handing them a gift bag and telling them about the pregnancy resource center across the street. The woman explained that she knew she was pregnant and needed an ultrasound. She was excited to learn that the pregnancy center provided them for free! I offered to walk them over to the center, and they agreed.
I gave the couple information on additional resources and told them that if they needed anything after their appointment to contact me. The couple was very grateful and thanked me numerous times for my support. I was overjoyed that the Lord had led me to meet them in their time of need.
As I was turning to head back to the sidewalk, the man came back outside the pregnancy center and stopped me to say:
“I truly want to thank you for being out here today. I really did not want to take her to Planned Parenthood, but we didn’t know of any other options. I really appreciate what you are doing, and I want you to know that you are very much needed here.”
Even though I got turned down and ignored that day on the sidewalk, God brought me there to help this couple find hope and give them a future. If the Lord calls you, He intends to use you and will not abandon you. He will guide you, and the Holy Spirit will give you all the tools and words to say. But first, you have to be willing to receive these gifts and allow Him to work through you.
The devil will steal your confidence, weaken your determination, and plant lies in your heart, making you question your influence: Am I even doing anything when I come here? I’m here to tell you that YES, you are. Whether it is your prayers, your words, or even just your presence and your smile on the sidewalk — someone is seeing you, your prayers are being heard, and it is making a difference.
– Submitted by Sidewalk Advocates for Life – Los Angeles Metro Area
We urgently need more women and men, like YOU, on the sidewalk. If you are hearing the call to help moms in crisis and babies at risk, let us help give you the tools to answer it! Learn more at sidewalkadvocates.org/volunteer.