Yesterday, Day 6 of Spring 40 Days for Life 2016, held a special gift for me.

I arrived at the monthly Sidewalk Advocates for Life meeting hoping to meet one of the newly trained members who would be shadowing me in the coming weeks. I had heard that the “Heart” I hold had been a small part of what had inspired her commitment to joining our group. Sure enough, she was in attendance and had quite a story.

Her eighteen year old son a charismatic young man sat by her side. She shared with the group how he had survived and thrived despite his early exit from the womb due to infection. The doctors had said that being born at 26 weeks gestational age, he was sure to have many lifelong physical and mental delays/disabilities. Prayers for the preemie had continued over his isolette causing questions from the staff at the hospital (Was this family Jewish or Catholic?). Half of his body had not functioned properly for some time. One side of his face drooped till 18 months old. His condition improved steadily. He was completely healed to the point that pole vaulting was now his sport. His mother had a very special place in her heart for the dehumanized unborn, woman facing abortion and those dealing with the loss of a child due to abortion. Certainly the 26 year old baby she prayed over was fully alive, fully human, and worth protection! Here he sat at our meeting, bright as they come.

I listened as this young man told the story of their simultaneous sign up to become Sidewalk Advocates:

He had made his way to a booth set up at some student function. Already part of his Catholic High school’s Students for Life group, which had committed to pray outside the clinic together one afternoon a week (YAY! I didn’t know this!), he felt the call to take it a step further and attend the SWAFL training. When he arrived home he told his mother who, to his surprise, had signed up at a separate event to attend the same training! Wow! It was obvious to me that the Holy Spirit was at work in many ways to lead them into this ministry.

Now for the “Heart” part. This woman had to pass the clinic on her way to work in the morning. Tears had filled her eyes and her heart was touched the first day she saw me standing with the heart. Then, as she continued to see me each morning she realized that I was coming every day. Being a very busy mother with a teaching job and various commitments this spoke to her because maybe despite her busyness she could carve out some time to hold out a “Heart” here too. When she was invited by the SWAFL team she responded, YES! YES she could. I can take no credit for this. If you follow my story you will find that this “Very Long 40 Days for Life” stand for me wasn’t begun at all because I was eager, or inventive, or strong. I was only willing to heed a firm and direct call from our heavenly Father. The story of her “Yes” brought tears to my own eyes because it was an answer to a direct prayer I often pray from the sidewalk. Sometimes my eyes and heart turn very purposely to the road. As I see each car pass I ask in prayer, “What will you be willing to do?”  And again, “What will you be willing to do? How could you help to solve this problem?”  It is different for every one of us, but if we listen, the Lord will show us his heart for the unborn, the woman, the family, the abortion workers, the poor, the abused, those who have been robbed by abortion and in need of the Lord’s healing touch. His heart is never for abortion, but for abundant life for his children. He desires us all to carry his heart for Life. It is a glorious invitation to weak, sleepy disciples. Carrying his heart in itself is a reward worth fighting for. Oh that His love would become more in us and that we would become less.

This is my “Heart”song on the sidewalk, “Let them see You in me.”

JJ Weeks Band-Let Them See You Lyrics

“Take away the melodies
Take away the songs I sing
Take away all the lights
And all the songs You let me write
Does the man I am today
Say the words You need to say?

Let them see You in me
Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing
Let them see You
Just let them see You in me

Who am I without Your grace?
Another smile, another face
Another breath, a grain of sand
Passing quickly through Your hand
I give my life, an offering
Take it all, take everything

Let them see You in me
Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing

Let them see You
Just let them see You in me

With every breath I breathe
I sing a simple melody
But I pray they’ll hear more than a song
In me, in me

Let them see You in me
Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing
Let them see You

Let them see You in me
Let them hear You when I speak
Let them feel You when I sing
Let them see You
Just let them see You in me
Just let them see You in me”
If you are interested in becoming a Sidewalk Advocate for Life please visit their website and make contact with them. Being equipped, trained, and prepared to respond to needs on the sidewalk is vitally important. SWAFL also provides fellowship, guidance, and materials to all members.