From 40 Days For Life: DAY 36: Adoption on the sidewalk

 

"How many unwanted children have you adopted?" This is a common--and ridiculous--comment we sometimes hear at a vigil. It assumes that children get their human dignity based on how much they are wanted. The reality is that 40 Days for Life campaigns have volunteers who are willing to adopt a baby in need of a loving family. Some already have! As he prayed in front of his local abortion facility, one 40 Days for Life leader asked God "for a divine appointment to share the Gospel of Life." Just ten minutes later, he met an abortion client and began discussing abortion alternatives. "I mentioned that my wife and I would adopt her child," he said. "Now mind you, I've offered that dozens of times...We exchange phone numbers and talk about resources, but adoption rarely comes up again." That was about to change. "The next day she texted me to ask whether she could see her baby if my wife and I adopted her. I replied, 'absolutely.' We met the day she had scheduled her abortion, and she informed us that she wanted to make an adoption plan."

This birth mother is considering a variety of adoption options, but our 40 Days for Life leader and his wife are excited to find out whether it's God's plan for them to welcome her baby into their family. They're also continuing to help this woman with other needs--including by bringing mattresses to her home. She and her children sleep on the floor of their apartment. "She has had four abortions. God is in the business of redeeming, so this redemption story has just begun," the leader said. "But I was only out there because I stayed faithful to my 40 Days for Life hour. I’m glad I did." So are we!

Little Rock, Arkansas Because the abortion facility in Little Rock only does surgical abortions three days per week, they schedule a LOT of appointments on abortion days–more than the parking lot can accommodate. As an abortion client walked from the overflow parking area, a volunteer named Patricia offered her a free ultrasound at a pregnancy resource center. The mom was interested and asked whether they could help her with adoption. "She left with an appointment at the pregnancy resource center," Little Rock leader Toni said. "And SHE NEVER EVEN WENT INTO THE ABORTION FACILITY!"

Memphis, Tennessee The abortion-bound mother told a sidewalk counselor named Meg that she already has two children. "I asked my family if they wanted to adopt my child as I am nine weeks along...but they said 'no.'" Fortunately, Meg told her there was still hope and walked her over to the local pregnancy center to make an adoption plan. "What a great gift the mom is giving to her child!" said Kathy, the campaign leader.

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 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. See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney President/CEO, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316