DAY 26: What drives them
It is not unusual for people standing vigil outside an abortion facility during 40 Days for Life to be the target of “drive-by anger.” You may think the people who offer you an unkind word or gesture simply don’t care for you or what you’re doing.
But often, there’s much more to it.
“We have had the expected negative response from passersby,” said Kelly in Severna Park, Maryland, “but I just like to call this response ‘ripping off the band aid.’ People are angry because they are trying not to think about the pain they are in. By us being there, we are ripping their band aids off and so they project their anger at us.”
Who’s doing this? People who had unresolved abortion experiences — sometimes decades ago — that may have left them with feelings of guilt and anger. So they lash out.
“I know that this may in fact be their first steps to healing and so I don’t mind,” Kelly said. “I’ve noticed that when I hold my sign with the personal statement, ‘I regret my abortion,’ people get really upset. So upset they feel the need to call me mean names and yell to me that they don’t regret their abortions, but their anger tells me otherwise.”
Through 40 Days for Life, however, many of these people are taking that first step towards healing.
“A woman heard an interview I had done at a local radio station about our 40 Days for Life campaign,” said Alejandra in Orange County, California. “A couple of hours later she called me, saying that she wanted to be part of this campaign and that this was what she needed.”
The woman told Alejandra that 17 years ago, she had two abortions. Ever since then, every time she sees a 17-year-old she wonders about her children. “It is a scar she has in her heart and that she hasn’t healed. She is now ready to go to an abortion recovery group and has begun to find healing.”
With 50 million abortions over the past 35 years, there is an unfathomable number of people who need healing — including people who didn’t have abortions themselves, but somehow participated in one.
Marti in Little Rock, Arkansas said one of the local 40 Days for Life volunteers confided in her that shortly after Roe v. Wade, she took a friend for an abortion. “She has struggled with guilt for all of these years,” Marti said. “She feels 40 Days for Life has given her a way to begin to make amends for assisting in an abortion.”
This woman became excited about 40 Days for Life — and much more. “She told me she went to church this weekend for the first time in nine years,” said Marti. “She will be at the vigil for the first time tomorrow. 40 Days for Life has given her renewed passion for life, both hers and all of the yet-to-be born babies.”
Thank you for all you’re doing to bring the healing hand of Christ to those who’ve held so much guilt inside for so many years.
For more information about post-abortion healing, please see the online resources of Abortion Recovery International at:
http://www.abortionrecovery.org
Here’s today’s devotional from Vera Faith Lord, Director of the Alpha/Omega Life Ministry and Representative of the Orthodox Church to the National Pro-life Religious Council…
DAY 26 INTENTION:
That those who have forgotten their purpose may discover it in God and therefore have the courage to choose life.
SCRIPTURE:
These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season, what you give them they gather in; you open your hand they are filled with good. You hide your face, they are troubled; you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.
– Psalm 104:27-30
REFLECTION by Vera Faith Lord:
“I am a feather on the breath of God.”
As the quote above portrays, we are upheld by the power and purpose of God. Our very existence on earth, from our body’s first breath to its last, when we leave it to return home, is our Father’s choice and happens only by His willing to do so.
He who created the universe also created that which is “me.” I do not “have” a soul – I AM a soul, as well as a body. My entire purpose in this life is to find my way back to my Creator.
PRAYER:
Beloved Father, remind us today that there is no truth but you. Do not let us fall prey to the evil one’s lie that we may choose death. Remind us right now that you, who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us know right now that you who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us choose life always.
Father, please let us hear your voice more today than yesterday. Keep lighting the pathway home, for us and for all who participate in this 40 Days for Life campaign. Father, we’re on our way. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Today’s 40 Days for Life devotional can also be downloaded at: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2008day26print.pdf
A few nights ago I was hosting a pro-life conference call and had the opportunity to briefly talk with Eduardo Verastegui, star of the movie “Bella.”
During the quick conversation, he discussed his participation in the 40 Days for Life for the past three weekends in Los Angeles — and how God has used him to save TEN lives there!
Here is the inspiring three-and-a-half minute recording of Eduardo’s comments. Enjoy:
Listen to the Audio Online (click “Play” button to start audio):
Download MP3 (click to play, right-click to save to your computer):
http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/audio/eduardo.mp3
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
P.S.- Two weeks from today the fall 40 Days for Life campaign will draw to a close. The finish line is now in sight — let’s pull out all the stops to finish strong! The stakes have NEVER been higher.
October 19th, 2008 at 7:01 am
God bless you and Edwardo and ALL in all ways, always.
October 19th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Thank you for sharing this interview with Edwardo. It was so wonderful. So many people, both young and old, are influenced by celebrities in the entertainment and sports areas. If more celebrities were willing to fight for morality, even at the risk of losing their careers, we would have a better nation and world.
October 19th, 2008 at 10:19 am
We welcomed Eduardo in Sacramento, CA yesterday at the Planned Parenthood Clinic at 29th and B. I heard he was able to speak to two clinic workers.
The people were lined up for hours to get a copy of his new book or the movie “Bella” autographed and to have a chance to speak to Eduardo.
There was a big prolife ministry fair in the parking lot of Easter’s BookStore at Auburn Blvd and Garfield Ave in Sacramento.
“There’s nothing better than to fight for those who can not fight for themselves. We want to be a voice for the voiceless babies. Does not matter what the price may be!”
He was so humble, so sincere in his appearance to us. What a beautiful event! So many people came out to Easter’s parking lot. There were half a dozen priests, there were nuns from the order of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, there were families galore…Let our prayers rise to heaven for the prolife cause!
We welcomed politicians including Dan Lungren who urged all of us to look around and make sure that everyone is able to get to the polls and to help those who may struggle by offering them a ride if they have not voted. We heard from Ned Dolesi who is with the Catholic lobby. Booths from SOHLNET, Sacramento Life Center, Proposition 8, Proposition 4, and voter sign up registration tables were present.
This 40 Days for Life is a catalyst which will enable us to realize we are not alone but united, we can do wonderful things for the Lord.
October 20th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
We welcomed Eduardo and Leo Severino to Napa Valley also on Saturday. It has been a “whirlwind” weekend.
Eduardo arrived from Sacramento to be present at the PROP 4 and PROP 8 Rally here in the Napa Valley. Eduardo and Leo Severino spoke and made very good references to the conscience of voting. Very well received, protestors were minimal from the opostition. Great Rally.
After the rally, the group from the rally, then proceeded to the Napa 40 Days for Life Vigil site at PP. We all prayed there for approximately 40 minutes, and then everyone got a chance to visit with each other. Very good afternoon. Leo and Edurado went to Mass at St Appolinaris Church.
On Saturday evening, Eduardo and Leo were then to speak at the Ignatius Press release party at the Meritage Hotel here in Napa. Very well attended, and again Eduardo and Leo spoke. Edurado. made a plea to all attendees to vote with their moral compasses, and understand all of the candidates postions on life issues. He also got a chance to meet with some of the hotel workers from the Meritage and spoke to them about the voting issues at hand. Many took his movie and his new book with them to bring home to their families for more discussion. They all a great discussion with Eduardo and Leo.
They recognized him from his “Pelicula Bella” series in Mexico. Great evening and many hearts were changed. PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!
October 20th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
God is working thru us and everyone else like Eduardo Verastegui He is sending his messages out there!
God Bless
I’m Praying For You !
October 20th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Thanks for sharing those stories and the courage each of you have to help stop this taking of life. May God have mercy on us and bring reason and morals back to our society. Deacon Nick Feurer
October 20th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I thank god for every person that is taking time to save the life of the innocent. I believe that Eduardo Verastegui is a blessing to us because it gives us inspiration.When we see someone that once walk on the world, now converted and willing to give everything for the life of others specially the most innocents. Let’s all keep Eduardo in our prayers so god will give him the strength to fight this battle against abortion without falling in despair.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:58 am
Yes is it true that some women use anger as a why to try to avoid facing the truth about an abortion they’ve had. They feel threatened and scared when confronted with the truth that they are afraid to face.
But it is also true that those who expected and ‘encouraged’ the women to abort will use anger as a way to try to threaten and silence the truth. And their claim of concern for the women who’ve had abortions is not necessarily their motive either. They are trying to avoid responsibility for their role in an abortion AND protecting their own selfish, sexually irresponsible and exploitative relationships with those women. Their concern is not really about the women; their anger is in response to the ‘threat’ that those women will learn the truth and will then establish more healthy, self-respecting, relationship boundaries with them (in other words spoil their fun).
I saw a large, muscular, ENRAGED male shoving, yelling, and cussing at his female partner because she was trying (wanting) to approach our pro-life info booth in a college student center. OBVIOUSLY he was not attempting to ‘protect’ her from learning the truth because he cared about her. More likely he was furious because he didn’t want her to find out the truth about an abortion HE HAD talked her into having.
She was obviously upset and wanted the brochure we were offering her on post-abortion counseling services. He wouldn’t allow her to take one of those borchures.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Thanks, David, & all “40 Days” participants. God bless all !!!
rs
October 25th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Ripping off the Band-Aid part II / What makes them do that?
I’m still a bit awestruck and emotional at what I encountered at the vigil site today. We had invited several post-abortion women and men to stand with the “I Regret my Abortion” and “I Regret Lost Fatherhood” signs from the Silent No More Campaign. Several of them shared their testimony of hurt and healing. I am still trying to process the intense emotions I have from this experience.
Here we have women and men deliberately ripping off their bandaids and exposing their pain for the sake of those entering the abortion facility and those who work there. I have never seen a greater act of love.
What drives them?
If you have ever listened to a testimony of this type you know of the difficult circumstances that preceded the abortion decision, the misconception and lies that surrounded the decision and the painful aftermath that was sure to follow. Over and over again thousands of times a day women are being mislead and coerced into a life of regret and self hate. Sometimes it is many years later that the reality of the experience breaks through the denial. The reality is full of spiritual and emotional and sometimes physical pain that dominates their lives until they have an encounter with the Mercy of a Forgiving God.
My heart is breaking.
These men and women deliberately rip their Band-Aids off to show the world the pain of abortion and the beauty of God’s Merciful healing. Their self sacrifice is changing hearts and saving their sisters and brothers from making the same mistake they made so many years ago.
My heart breaks not only from the sorrow of listening to their pain but from the joy of seeing the healing that they have experienced through God’s Mercy.
One of the most remarkable stories we heard this morning was shared by a woman that providence brought to us today. She is well acquainted with the Womancare abortion facility where the 40DFL vigil is taking place. She had an abortion there several months ago. As she stood there telling us her story I couldn’t help notice her swollen abdomen which holds her twins and her three year old daughter skipping around at her feet . She told us how she was ambivalent about her abortion decision and had gone back and forth between the abortion facility and the Crisis Pregnancy Center just down the road. At that time she had been given a diagnosis of HIV and the abortion facility convinced her that her only option was to abort to avoid passing the deadly virus to her baby. Even though her husband objected she initially consented to the abortion. She was well into her second trimester and would need the two-day procedure for her abortion. She wanted time to think but the staff insisted she stay for the abortion and tricked her into doing the entire procedure in one day.
Meanwhile her husband was doing every thing he could to talk to her and get her out of the abortion facility but the staff locked him out and forced her to turn off her cell phone so he couldn’t communicate with her.
With the abortion completed she left and was later rechecked for HIV. It was found that there had been some mistake at the lab and she had been given a false positive report for HIV.
Today God has given her a healthy twin pregnancy, a renewed marriage commitment and some good lawyers to bring prosecution against the abortionist and his staff. She freely admits that these are all good things but nothing will bring back the child she has lost to abortion.
We pray in thanksgiving for the courage these women and men have demonstrated in exposing their hurt and healing and we pray for blessings on all those that hear their courageous words.
Southfield, Mi