My Journey as a Pro-Life Advocate

Yesterday something happened that reminded me of why and when I became a pro-life advocate. It certainly wasn't planned. I love being a wife, mother, and grandmother. I've always been busy taking care of my family and spending time with them. I love being married, it is my vocation and I take it seriously.  Being involved with pro-life activities wasn't something I thought that much about. We raised our children to be pro-life and to believe in the sanctity of all human life. We discussed pro-life issues but weren't involved in pro-life activities.  Back in 2011 I was invited to pray with a group from our parish in front of Planned Parenthood. This was during the fall 2011, 40 Days for Life campaign. I faithfully showed up to pray during the hour I had chosen. The prayerful people, the beautiful "rosary for life" prayers and meditations quickly grabbed my heart. I signed up again for the spring 2012 campaign and started staying longer than my hour and even praying at other hours when they needed someone. I was amazed at the women and sometimes men who would come over and share their story with us. I still remember the pain in the voices of the women who had chosen abortion. Some had carried this grief for decades. I would cry with these women, I would hug them and feel so helpless. I realized that the pro-life mission wasn't just to save the precious unborn babies but their mothers too!  I would share with my family these heartfelt moments and how important praying out there was. By the fall 2012 campaign, my family had signed up and were praying also. I was not a writer, I had a flip phone, was not on social media, and did not ever plan on being on social media. I didn't text unless it was a one word response. That all changed in the summer of 2013. Something happened and I realized  that it was time to get off the sidelines and jump right in the middle of the pro-life movement. The final straw had broken and I found my voice. I found the words and the courage to speak up and to speak out. Sometimes we're just not sure where to start or what to do. I found my voice and stepped out of my comfort zone on July 1, 2013. There was an article in the newspaper about the filibuster by Wendy Davis, she wanted abortion to not only be legal up to twenty weeks in Texas but up to twenty four weeks. I am thankful that did not pass but in the newspaper that Monday morning, on the front page it talked about all the people from all over the world calling to congratulate her. I was appalled and my letter writing to the newspaper began. That wasn't enough so I started my blog, and then I got on Facebook, and if you read my blog - you know the rest of the story! I've been writing for over seven and half years now. But my story is still going - it is not over - I will continue to speak up, write stories, and use the gift that I didn't even know I had until one day, God gave me the words and this burning desire in my heart to do more. I wrote that one letter to the paper and people responded and told me I should write more. I remember thinking, "It doesn't work like that - I was able to write that letter because I was so upset." But then the words kept coming. I found out I had so much I wanted to say so I started my blog. My home office quickly filled up with all types of information on abortion, adoption, pregnancy help centers, etc. I wanted to reach out to people. I wanted to share information. There are times when I wonder if it makes any difference at all. But I know that I have to speak up - I feel like God is always guiding me, giving me a little nudge. 

 Abortion has been legalized up to birth (for any reason) in New York and other states have quickly joined in. The infamous Roe v Wade anniversary will be on January 22nd. Forty-eight years of legalized abortion in the United States. The straws should be breaking right and left, that camel's back is beyond broken! When someone asks me how to speak up and be a voice for the unborn, how do you get started? I tell them to pray, and to ask the Holy Spirit to give them the words, the guidance they need, whether it is for a conversation with someone or more. Submit letters or articles to your local newspaper, write letters to your city, state, and government leaders. Wear a pro-life t-shirt. I have lots of pro-life t-shirts, I wear them often. Share pro-life posts on social media/Facebook. Stop worrying about hurting someone's feelings. But when you do speak up, know what you are talking about - be diplomatic, but mean what you say. If someone asks you a question that you don't know, it is okay to say, "I don't know the answer to that." But then say, I will find out and get back with you. And then, make sure you do find out the answer and get back with them. My blog, all of my posts and stories are another way of speaking up for the most innocent among us. 

Being a pro-life advocate isn't easy. The following post/poem is one I wrote years ago. I still remember how I felt that day - I sat down and prayed and the words just came.

It Matters to God! It Matters to Him!