Unexpected Blessings
Most often you will hear Kelly and I talk about all of the ways in which we must give to life-affirming work. It can sometimes seem daunting. This work can be exhausting, at times, both mentally and physically. Today, however, I want to share with you some of the gifts that pro-life ministry has given to me over the years.
This work has allowed me to surround myself with some of the most amazing people I have ever met. People who have left me nothing short of inspired because they selflessly offer up so much of themselves for others. I have witnessed a Sidewalk Advocate risk pneumonia as she stood in the freezing rain to offer a moment of hope to someone in their darkest hour. Another Advocate whose only wish for herself at Christmas is to get to play Santa for other families and still another who is so used to taking care of others that she set up an appreciation event that was meant to celebrate her own work as a volunteer. I am thankful and blessed to be able to call them all my friends.
I was introduced to this work by my husband, Greg. It has been a passion of his for many years. Now it has become a passion that we share together. It has strengthened our bond in ways that I honestly can not explain. I am so grateful to him and thankful that the Holy Spirit worked through him to touch my life in such a way and that now we get to share this with our daughter.
Our daughter, Shelby, just turned 16 years old and is about to start her junior year of High School. I thought that High School was tough the first time around, but watching my little girl deal with all of the trials and tribulations is absolutely brutal! I find myself praying, Dear God, please help me get through High School….again. It has been an unexpected blessing that the education I have received through my work in pro-life ministry has given me much more confidence in my ability to help Shelby navigate these High School waters and begin to prepare her for the world beyond. For that, I am exceedingly thankful!
Finally, and most importantly, my faith and prayer life have been strengthened beyond measure, this allows me to be a better wife, a better mother, and a better friend. For all that this work has given me, I am thankful.
If you are a member of the pro-life community, I know that you can relate to at least some of what I have said, if not, don’t wait another moment. You have no idea the many blessings that you are missing!
This week, continue the "Evangelium Vitae" Pray, Grow, Serve series with your child, classroom, or parish. In it, we can't possibly exhaust Pope St. John Paul's encyclical, but we can highlight key points that will continue to develop the lens through which your child views the world with an eye for the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of every human life, and the daily opportunity to discover unexpected blessings of their own.
For more information about joyfully reawakening a culture of life within your domestic church, visit www.pelicanprojectministry.org.
