Battleground

Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to speak about our adoption journey at the 40 Days for Life closing rally at St. Gregory's.  After running into the Virginia Beach 40 Days for Life campaign coordinator Marcia Hurley a couple weeks earlier, during our trip to Planned Parenthood, she asked if we would speak a little about our process and the beauty of adoption.  Somewhat ironically, Kim had already committed to a baby shower that coincided with the time of the closing rally, so I attended solo, but accompanied by the prayers of my great wife (who happens to be the inspiration behind all my talks).

The closing rally consisted of recognizing the tremendous sacrifice and effort of numerous volunteers, acknowledging the many parishes filling time slots through the forty day period, and general celebration in the great work that God accomplished through this last campaign.  But the bulk of the closing rally were two testimonies on adoption.  Marcia stated that adoption had been on her heart, and I am unsure if this was before running into her or after, but regardless, props to the Holy Spirit!

For my talk, I shared a little about the perspective gained during the day of our Planned Parenthood visit, briefly our experience of adopting Josiah, then touched on the way Romans 8:15 has spoken to us and our view of the gospel, and last the deceptive nature of the phrase "pro-choice."  The last piece was a result of a recent email that struck a chord with me.  The national 40 Days for Life campaign director sends daily emails encouraging the local 40 Days for Life chapters with praise reports, scripture, and reflection.  Day 36 contained a reflection that spoke about the cruel irony of that deceptive phrase "pro-choice."  Most women with unplanned pregnancies don't get abortions because of freedom of choice, but rather because they feel they have no freedom and no choice.  They often feel trapped, helpless, scared, and unsupported, with no other way to turn.  Their "choice" is very limited, squeezed within the narrow confines of pressure, fear, uncertainty, and desperation.  This is EXACTLY where 40 Days for Life steps in.  This is exactly what the volunteers have been sacrificing their time and energy for during the last forty days.  Providing a hand to the helpless, a light to those in fear, encouragement to those abandoned, and most importantly HOPE to the hopeless. 

The men and women in that St. Gregory's room on Sunday afternoon are the true front-line soldiers for Truth and Hope.  They are the dedicated prayer warriors that tred into brutal enemy territory.  It is holy work that most people aren't willing to attempt.  It is holy work that takes a toll on the mind, body, and heart.  But the overwhelming sentiment illuminating the room from those courageous men and women was a bond that could not be broken by the lies and deception of the abortion industry.  It is a bond unbreakable, because it is forged by their underlying unity in sacrifice and noble calling.  I attended the closing rally thinking that I would be able to offer encouragement through my talk on our adoption process, but it was I who went away encouraged beyond expectation.

For me, the highlight of the afternoon was the other adoption testimony by a remarkable lady named Millie.  Millie shared the story of how she had placed her child for adoption many years ago after being transformed from a pro-abortion mindset to one of adoption.  God has since confirmed her decision in a million different ways...even sharing how the daughter she birthed has since gone on "to meet popes and presidents" (JPII and Bush), not to mention grown up to be a tennis star, IB student, and homecoming queen!  Millie chose to give LIFE to her daughter and life to a family of adoptive parents.  In our trip to Texas for our adoption orientation with Gladney, the session with birth mothers (that had or were going to place their child for adoption) clearly had the most impact on us and the rest of the attendees.  Millie's own story only confirmed the selfless heroism that comes from a birth mother choosing life for her child and placing them for adoption.  It truly was an inspirational story that once again demonstrated God's plan for life is more sacred than we can wrap our minds around.

Today's daily reflection from Pope Benedict XVI was on Christian life.  He stated that Christian life is communal life.  The Church as a source for communal life and support is often unfamiliar to many.  However, a community that shares, celebrates, suffers, and prays together becomes a community of life.  It becomes a beacon of light to a darkened world.  It becomes a source of hope for the fearful and abandoned.  As I listened to the pope's daily reflection, I could not help but think of the group at the closing rally.  The volunteers of the 40 Days for Life are a perfect illustration of what communal life encompasses.

The battleground cliche is often overused.  But the spiritual battleground that 40 Days for Life fights in is as real as it gets...because lives are literally on the line, with Planned Parenthood discarding humans into trashbags as medical waste.  Working for life is not for the faint of heart; but working for life is sacred work.  I encourage you to check out the Virginia Beach chapter or your own local chapter.  The work of Marcia Hurley, Dan Hurley, Louantha Kerr, Cheri Britt, Deacon Bob, and the rest of the Life warriors is inspirational.  Please, check it out, get involved, and support this holy ministry.

http://www.40daysforlife.com/virginiabeach/