I volunteered to stand in the prayer vigil for an hour in front of the local Planned Parent clinic in support of the 40 Days for Life Campaign. This campaign occurs during Lent every year, so I thought it was a good Lenten observation for me - especially since our parish priest really pushes us to support it. There was an hour today when they had nobody to stand and pray, so I volunteered.
I had only recently recovered from influenza pneumonia brought on during the H1N1 flu epidemic this year, but I felt strong enough now, and I thought I would be okay, if I bundled up and kept my head covered. This is the Seattle area, so of course it was rainy, so I brought a big blue and yellow umbrella to be sure to keep dry. I must have looked a sight in front of the abortion clinic - standing there all alone, my coat on and the hood up with my face barely showing, juggling a huge umbrella and a purse full of brochures.
I tried to catch them at the door to give them a brochure, but they were too quick. They would slip in the door before I could offer them a brochure. I guess I'm just getting to old to move quickly. I caught one young woman to offer her a brochure as nicely as I could. She refused it. You couldn't stay in front of the door, even on the public sidewalk, so I tucked the slightly rain-spattered brochure back in my purse, and went back to my place on the sidewalk. I began to think I really sucked at pro-lifing.
I tried to catch them as they were coming out of the clinic, in case they hadn't gotten an abortion yet, but I could tell it was too late. The way they looked when they came out was heart-breaking. They came out, eyes glued to the ground, unable to look at anyone. Did they think I would judge them? Why would I judge them? They are the victims, not the perpetrators.
I decided if I was going to look a little ridiculous, I might as well beam out a friendly loving smile. In that way, maybe the love of God would shine through and they could see it. Then I noticed something interesting. The glass on the front of the clinic was that one-way mirror glass, so you couldn't see into the clinic, but I could vaguely see that I was right in front of the waiting area. However, anyone in the waiting area could clearly see me. I decided to stand in front of the glass and smile as warm and loving a smile as I could. And I prayed, mostly random things, as my heart prompts me. And I talked to God. Maybe the prayers are what makes the most difference anyway.
