[Salvation]

Today’s email sent shivers throughout my body — a testimony about a pray-er who can no longer be there!

The 40 Days for Life team in El Paso, Texas recently
shared Cristina’s story about a very special woman.

Simply put, Cristina said her friend Espy “is one of
the best sidewalk counselors that I have ever met. I
have seen miracles happen through Espy’s work outside
of the abortion clinic.”

In 12 years of serving as a sidewalk counselor, Espy
always seemed to have exactly the right thing to say
in any situation ... whether she was speaking to a
woman seeking an abortion, to someone suffering in
the wake of an abortion — or to a member of the
abortion center staff.

In regard to the abortion workers, Espy learned how
powerful love is. “Love is the way,” she would say.

“She has given a smile to abortion clinic workers and
even hugs,” Cristina said. “Not just that, but she has
been there to listen to the clinic workers as they
shared their personal problems.” These people know
that Espy loves them and prays for them.

“She has given her life to the pro-life ministry,”
Cristina said.

But Espy hadn’t been seen on the sidewalk for quite
a while. About a year ago, she had a stroke. She uses
a wheel chair and has difficulty speaking now, but
in spite of the challenges she will tell you, “God
is good.”

Staff members at the facility have noticed Espy’s
absence and have told prayer vigil participants that
they were worried about her. Just last week, Espy
asked Cristina to take her to the abortion center
so she could say hi.

“I called the clinic administrator and let her know
that Espy was outside waiting to see all of them,”
said Cristina. “To my surprise, the workers walked
outside to meet us! Espy with all her heart wanted to
give them a hug and a kiss, so she did — and they did,
too! Espy was crying — and they were crying, too.”

They gave her many hugs of love and respect. The
director, the one that used to confront Espy and
the one that used to tell her, “Go home!” now told
her, “Espy we miss you. When are we going to see you
outside again?”

“This was a miracle,” said Cristina; “a miracle of
love. Espy is still working; God is still using Espy
to show His love, His mercy, His power. Espy is an
example to all of us that want to follow God’s plan.

“She is an example that God is working. God is
teaching. God is transforming. God is converting. God
is alive inside those places of death. God is alive in
Espy! May God bless Espy and the abortion providers that
they together with us see Jesus one day, face to face!”

By the way, Espy’s full name is Esperanza. The English
translation of this beautiful Spanish name — Hope!

[Salvation]

Day 27 - March 15

 

Intention:

We pray for the gift of openness to children.

Scripture:

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."

-- Genesis 1:27-28

Reflection:

God's intention is that we multiply and fill the earth.

One of the most pernicious lies that sociologists have foisted off on the public is that the earth is becoming overpopulated. What kind of a sadistic god would create the earth and human creatures on it, only to have them literally reproduce themselves into oblivion? The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our divine Creator, has commanded us to multiply and fill the earth and far from letting the population get out of control, He has, in fact given his human creatures a dominical role over all the lesser creatures. The "birth control" movement, which had its beginnings with Margaret Sanger in the early years of the last century, has led, in many parts of the world, to a birthrate that is drastically below the normal replacement rate.

God's Word assures us that children are a blessing, that they are a reward of faithfully trusting and serving God and that they are the crown of their parents' old age. The spread of the contraception mentality that has so permeated our culture is, undoubtedly, a factor in the ready acceptance of abortion. God's commandment to multiply and fill the earth has never been withdrawn. May He help us to accept the gift of children and give him thanks for every baby who is born into the world.

Prayer:

Father of mercy and grace, we thank you for the gift of our children. Grant that every fiber of our being may rejoice when a new baby, our own or any else's, is born into the world. Help us to welcome them as we would welcome you, for whenever a new baby is conceived, another life to bear your image and another voice to praise and worship you, is beginning. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Rev. Ben Sheldon
President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-life and National Pro-life Religious Council