We were grandparents, parents, families, and children silently speaking out for LIFE.
This is the sign I held on the corner of the busiest intersection in Kingwood, Texas. It was probably the least confrontational and not so much ‘in your face’ but I chose it as the message that I wanted a young girl to read as she drove by.
These were a few other signs that were held up, along with about four other sayings that encouraged others to PRAY and respect LIFE.
The response for the most part was positive. Honking horns. People driving by holding their thumbs up. Others stopping, rolling down their window and saying ‘thank you’. We would nod or smile in return and continue praying.
Being that we were on the very corner of the intersection there were moments when the cars on our side of the road had to wait. This allowed for the few to give the few negatives we heard (or saw) like the thumbs down, the middle finger, one kid ( I say kid, he was clearly a teenager or maybe early 20’s) opened up his car door as the car took off and said something undesirable that I won’t repeat.
I prayed for him and for the others who happened to be young men as well. The coincidence of all the negatives coming from young men was interesting to me. Their responses seemed to come from anger. But why? They aren’t the ones having the abortion. Did their girlfriend have one? Was their manhood put to the test when their girlfriend got pregnant and they couldn’t follow through with taking on the full roll of a man so they pushed instead of supported?
As I held this sign, this sign that gives another option, one that might take 9 months but will change so many lives for the GOOD, and witnessed these few acts of distaste and animosity I thought about all the young women who happened to be driving by too that read the same signs and wished they could speak up about their situation. But maybe they were sitting next to that young man that wouldn’t allow it, that chose to give us the middle finger instead because of the fear that fueled his existence.
I prayed. I prayed for those young men that one day, preferably soon, they would accept the charge of their manhood and BE A MAN by upholding the dignity of women and receive the grace that comes from supporting another instead of pushing.
I prayed more. I prayed for the young women who might have already been in the situation and felt they had no other choice or option. I wished they knew there were women out there holding the signs that had been in their very shoes at one time but were standing boldly holding a sign because they are FORGIVEN and REDEEMED and want more than anything to save lives – especially the life of the young woman staring right back at them.
The purpose of the Life Chain is to provide visual statements of solidarity by our local Christian community that abortion is grievously wrong and that the church Christ founded is opposed to the unmerciful killing of unborn children. It is an opportunity for the participants to join together in prayer for conversion of abortionists and all who defend them, for an end to legal abortion in our nation, and for God’s use of our witness to change hearts in our local community.
It was 1 hour of my time for which I am grateful to have given.
Blessings
Shannon