The sidewalk outreach team was calling out to women entering Planned Parenthood when a young man from the neighborhood passed by. He had heard that a friend he knew was considering abortion and was hoping to intervene. He paused, listening to the sidewalk counselors’ pleas to the women that they should not abort their child. 

At that moment, he saw the woman he knew about to turn her car into the parking lot. She saw him, recognized him, and instead of turning in, drove slowly on. He knew she had been intending to abort. He hurried after her,  and caught up with her car. Then he spoke with her for quite a while.

The team was still there when he walked back. He wanted to tell them what happened.

When he saw the woman, he knew he had to try to stop that abortion.  Not long ago, his own girlfriend had gone to this very abortion center. She had chosen to abort their child against his wishes. As he recounted that sad story, his voice broke and he began crying. Abortion does not only harm the baby.

He composed himself, and finished explaining what had happened with the woman he had just spoken with. He had pleaded with her, telling her his own story. In the end, he convinced her that she should not kill her child. He wanted our team to know that a baby had just been saved from death.

Our team gave him our pamphlet with our phone number so she could call us. They assured him that we have many resources through our partnering churches, and we would love to help her. He thanked the team and continued on his walk.

What a wonderful story of two beautiful spiritual truths. First, God uses the most incredible sources to bring about His good purposes. When we are alert and present, and open to His promptings, miracles occur. Secondly, God brings redemption and healing in ways we often cannot imagine. He does not desire that we would be left broken by the struggles in life. He wants to restore us.

We hope the young man will contact us again. We know that God is working on his grieving heart even in the few minutes he stopped to speak with our team. While he was unable to save his own baby, how glorious that he could be the instrument God used to save another baby!

If our team had not been there, he may not have paused. He may not have seen his friend drive to the abortion center. He may not have had the courage to speak in defense of the baby’s life. He would not have help and resources through Love Life Churches to offer the woman who was obviously in a difficult situation.

When the church shows up, God uses her.