“I had not planned to go to the sidewalk that day. It was a very hot summer day, and I was six months pregnant. But the Lord clearly wanted me there. There was a need because it was a different day during the week for our leaders, and the mobile unit was also scheduled to be there.
“This location provides great access for sidewalk outreach. The sidewalk is directly in front of where the cars park and only a few feet from the entrance. As I arrived, I focused first on maintaining a disposition of prayer and peace. I asked the Lord to give me the strength I needed in the intense heat, and He certainly did! My partner even fanned me with our sign and a portable fan as we took turns speaking with people as they parked and entered the facility.
“There was one young woman who walked inside and initially ignored us. As she went in, I told her that we would be there waiting for her when she came back out.
“When she eventually came out, she immediately tried to get into her car. I approached her gently and told her, ‘I just want to talk with you and give you a gift bag. We are not here to judge you. We are here because we care about you.’
“I asked if she would give me just a moment to talk. I introduced myself and asked her name. Then I asked if she was pregnant. She said yes. I asked her how she was feeling about the pregnancy. She told me she was very scared and believed abortion was the right decision because she was not ‘ready.’
“As I looked into her eyes, I could see the fear and the many emotions she was carrying. I felt moved to ask her, ‘Would you like a hug?’ She said yes. I stepped closer to her, and we hugged. She began to cry.
“As we stood there embracing, I looked at her and said, ‘When is ever the right time? And when are we ever fully READY?’ I pointed gently toward my own pregnant belly. She continued crying, nodded, and held onto me.
“At that moment, the mobile unit drove by. I pointed it out to her and said, ‘Look, this mobile unit is here for you. They can offer you free services and connect you with centers that can provide real help and hope. I don’t want you to think abortion is your only option.’ I showed her information in our pamphlet, including information about the effects of abortion. She was surprised by what she read and became even more frightened.
“I then asked her about the father of the baby. She told me that he supported whatever decision she wanted to make, but deep down, she knew that he wanted the baby. I told her, ‘That is powerful. It is so amazing that you have the support of the father of your baby. You made him a dad, and there is a baby growing inside of you—a child whom God has entrusted to you.’
“There are no coincidences.
“She agreed and received the information I gave her. She told me that she was already late for work, but she wanted to continue talking with me. I gave her my cell phone number, and we stayed in contact through text over the following days. I called two local pregnancy resource centers and let them know that she might be reaching out and would need an appointment as soon as possible. She scheduled an appointment for that weekend.
“A few days later, she told me that my words had really touched her—especially when I asked, ‘When are we ever ready?’
“She made the decision to tell the father of her baby that she wanted to keep the baby. His response was that he would be there for her and support her through it all. She continued receiving support from the pregnancy resource center, and to this day, we still stay in touch. I check in with her to see how she is feeling and how she is doing. She remains grateful for the help, support, and care she received from the pregnancy resource center staff.
“Looking back, I am so grateful that I listened to that prompting from the Lord and went to the sidewalk that day even though I was six months pregnant and it was extremely hot. I could have stayed home. But God knew she would be there. He knew she needed someone to stand there in prayer, to speak to her with compassion, to offer her a hug, and to remind her that she was not alone.
“Sometimes we may never know why God asks us to show up on a particular day. We may feel tired, uncomfortable, or unprepared. But when we say yes to Him, He can use even the smallest moments of faithfulness to change a life.
“That day, I went to the sidewalk thinking I was simply going to serve. Instead, the Lord reminded me that He had already prepared the encounter. He knew exactly what she needed, and He allowed me to be there at that very moment to be His hands and feet.
“It reminds me of the words in Esther 4:14:
“’And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’
“I believe that is exactly what the Lord was showing me that day. I didn’t know why I needed to be there. I didn’t know that I would meet her. I didn’t know that a simple conversation, a hug, and the words ‘When are we ever really ready?’ would stay with her.
“But God knew. He placed me there for such a time as this.
“And sometimes, all He asks of us is to say YES, to show up, and to trust Him with the rest.
Submitted by a South Florida Sidewalk Advocate
Every day, thousands of mothers are preparing to walk into abortion facilities feeling afraid, alone, and unsure where to turn. Your gift right here, right now, will help ensure someone is there on the sidewalk, like our Advocate in South Florida — to listen, to pray, and offer real hope when it matters most. Thank you for your partnership in our life-saving mission!
