It was an unusually windy day for Tempe, Arizona. The weather forecast 20 to 30 mph winds, with gust
s up to 40. Windy or not, this day was my scheduled day to pray and participate in the 40 Days for Life vigil in front of the abortion center. As I got out of my car, I found out how strong the wind was when I held my signs in front of me and had to buck the wind like I was breaking a tackle. The wind was literally holding me back from moving forward. But like all those in this 40 Days campaign, inclement weather does not hold us back from doing our hour of prayer.
I noticed as I walked up to the site, that I was by myself for the moment, and I hoped others would show up. The wind was crazy and I was having a difficult time controlling my signs when I heard an angry voice. Between traffic on the busy street and the harsh wind, I couldn’t quite tell where the voice was coming from and was wondering if it was aimed at me. In the past, I had seen some angry people as they whizzed by in traffic, but never anyone who actually stopped to let loose of their vitriol. I thought, oh-oh, and wished I had someone with me so I wouldn’t have to contend with the anger alone. But of course, I wasn’t really alone; God says in His Word that He’s with me always. I held onto that thought.
I looked behind me and off in the distance was a red car with a driver whose face was about as red as the vehicle. She was waiting to pull out of the parking lot but apparently wanted to give me some advice before she left. When she saw me look in her direction, she raised her hand to show me her one finger ‘salute.’ It came to mind that her screaming face was typical of those you see in pictures, or on the news, of upset pro-choice women. She called me things not fit for little children, or adults, to hear. As she scrambled for her phone and turned it my way to record me, I hoped she would play it back later and regret her unattractive tirade.
With my “Abortion Hurts Women” sign in hand, I waved as I walked closer, but not too close, and she broke into her spiel about how I, we pro-lifers, were 
the ones hurting women. The car was full and the people inside were about to jump out of their seats in agreement and indignation. It’s a weird thing, but it almost felt comical. They reminded me of jumping beans popping up and down, with no direction, just propelled by some unknown force. I didn’t feel in danger at all and attributed that to God’s presence.
Another gal in the passenger seat had a little more couth than this young ‘lady’ and I focused on her. I told her that I know how abortion feels and how it hurts because I chose abortion, twice. The girl with the cooler head said, “I’ve had two abortions too.” Like it was no big deal. She went on to say, “It didn’t hurt me, and if it hurts someone then they shouldn’t have an abortion.”
I left it at that.
Here are couple of things I learned, and four things that I now have the opportunity to pray for those in that red car:
–Car chats, with angry people, are not the best way to reach someone, but I will pray that something in my heart reached someone’s heart in that red car.
–Anger is the work of the evil one, so I pray that God would show them how harmful and unproductive it is to use fowl language and deride another person.
–I pray that the girl who had two abortions would understand what she has done, come to feel the need for repentance, and that she would become a voice for life someday.
–I will pray that the jumping beans in that car would jump for joy one day because they have come to know the Lord!
Shining The Light 