Jesus, cast a look on me. Give me sweet simplicity. Make me poor and keep me low. Seeking only Thee to know.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Corey

Did you know that the only abortion clinic in the state of Mississippi is here in Jackson?
I didn't know until recently.
Several years ago I prayed for God to send me Christian friends.
Today my prayers are being answered.
One of them is named Mallory. Her seminary group meets each Friday morning at the abortion clinic in Fondren and I joined them last week.
I didn't know what to expect but I knew that God wanted me there. Some of the "demonstrators" were praying, some were singing, and others were talking one on one with the young ladies that exited the building.
I started off in the prayer group-least intimidating. The temp. outside must have been 100 degrees. (I have the sunburned shoulders to prove it!) Mallory then introduced me to her professor and told him that I was willing to talk to the girls. I stood in the background for a while, listening and learning. I didn't know exactly what to say to these girls who were about to make the biggest mistake of their lives (and the lives of their unborn babies.) How could I reach them without coming across as judgmental or phony??
I heard "the professor" saying
-"We beg you not to do this."
-"Can we pray with you?"
So when the next girl walked by (it was heartbreaking how busy those doors were and even more depressing was that 90% or so of the girls were African-American) I said cheerfully
"Good morning!"
By instinct people turn towards someone when greeted like that. She looked at me and I continued-
"Can I pray with you this morning?"

Now, keep in mind, aside from the blessing at supper, reciting the Lord's Prayer or the Apostle's Creed in church, I have never prayed out loud.

No worries, she just kept walking.
So did every other girl I spoke to that morning.
Then, close to the end of our time there, a young man and woman walked by...
"Good morning! Can I pray with you?"
He said "Sure!"
Uh, HUH?
Now I have to really do it!
So I took a deep breath, centered my thoughts on the Holy Spirit and asked Him to speak thru me. I reached my hands through the wrought iron fence that separated "us" from "them" and took his (rather large) hand in mine.
And the words came.
I thanked God for this young man and the girl he was with. I prayed for the Lord to shine His face on her and change her heart. I prayed for the precious baby that God had a plan for; REGARDLESS of how he/she was conceived.
Yes, there were moments of silence. And that's okay. My goal was not to fill the air with words. My goal was for God to use me as a vessel to reach these young people; to show them that there are people who do care and want to help.
The workers in that building do not care about these women.
The workers in that building do not have their best interest at heart.
The workers in that building are working for a paycheck. And, in the process, are contributing to the death of babies.
However, I felt very strongly that we "Christians" should also engage in conversation with the workers who were standing outside having a smoke break. After all, they too are brothers and sisters in Christ. And what if we could change their hearts as well?!?! Awesome.
Every saint has a past
and every sinner has a future.
(I saw that one on the wall of Mitch's office!)


Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."


Galatians 6:1
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently."

Isaiah 45:9-10 (The Message)
"Open up, heavens, and rain. Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness!Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation; sprout right living. I, God, generate all this.But doom to you who fight your Maker— you're a pot at odds with the potter!Does clay talk back to the potter: 'What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!'Would a sperm say to a father, 'Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?'Or a fetus to a mother, 'Why have you cooped me up in this belly?'"

2 comments:

  1. Psalm 127:3 - "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward."

    2 Thessalonians - "But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good."

    That's an amazing work that you provided! I'm just saying... that's all.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am encouraged by all of the scripture posted here at your place...praise the Lord for opportunities to share and give glory to Him!

    ReplyDelete