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May 11, 2016
Adoption· Faith· Life

Dear Brave Soul Standing Outside Planned Parenthood

This article contains affiliate links.  Please see my About page for more details.

Dear Brave Soul Standing Outside Planned Parenthood,

When you stand outside Planned Parenthood:

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You are judged.

You are judged by people who feel very strongly that abortion should be legal – and legal with no restrictions.

You are judged by people who rarely think about abortion.

You are judged by people who think abortion is bad, but Planned Parenthood provides other services besides abortion.

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You are also judged by Pro-Lifers who feel strongly against abortion; but have never stood outside a clinic to hold a sign or pray.

You are even judged by the person that is also standing outside Planned Parenthood, but not doing it the same way you are.

So, since you are judged by so many, yet you choose to stand there for a cause that many people avoid discussing – you are certainly brave.

Well brave one – I am going to challenge you to put your thick skin on, because this message isn’t going to be a “let me just congratulate you” post.

I am going to ask that however you stand there,  whether it is with a rosary, a sign or just a quiet presence; whether you sidewalk counsel or silently make a statement . . . I am calling you to  “add more Mercy”.

I ask that you consider . . .

  • Not holding a sign of a bloody baby.  I know someone said, “until America sees abortion; they will not reject it”.  BUT, the women showing up for their appointment need to see other signs.  They need to see a sign saying, “we can offer help” and perhaps state one way you can help.  If you can’t offer help, hold up a sign that says, “Unplanned Pregnancy? We want to adopt . . . look us up on Facebook“.  That way, even if they go in, maybe they will look on their phone while they are there and start to see other options.  Make your sign show there are other options! Also, consider holding a sign that says, “WE CAN GET YOU ANOTHER JOB!”  I mean, lots of people hate their jobs!  I’m sure abortion workers do too!

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  • Going to Mass and Confession or Chapel beforehand.  Pray for the workers, pray for the patients, pray that you only show God’s mercy and love while you are present there.
  • Leave the judgements at home. Maybe you don’t need to hear this, however . . . if you are standing next to someone who is yelling at people walking into the building – call them on it.  Tell them to stop, tell them that is not helping.  In some way, ask them to “add more mercy”.
  • Invite someone to come with you. You never know who may say yes.

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  • Ask your guardian angel for help. Padre Pio used to tell people to “send your guardian angel” to him if they could not physically get to him.  Saint Bernadette once said “When you pass before a chapel, and do not have time to stop . . . tell your Guardian Angel to carry out your errand to Our Lord in the tabernacle.”  And Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote, “[T]he swiftness of the angel’s movement is not measured by the quantity of his power, but according to the determination of his will (Summa Theologica, I, 53, 3, ad 1)”.  You can ask your Guardian Angel to help someone – ask your angel to help the woman change her mind.  What have you got to lose?

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  • Pray the Spiritual Adoption Prayer daily. This prayer is extremely powerful and does save lives.  I feel like God wants me to tell you that.  If you haven’t already, I urge you to read the experience my husband, son and I had with this prayer God Hears Us: A Spiritual Adoption Miracle {Free Printable}
  • Talk to the Dads (if you can). Who knows, maybe they are there because they really feel they can’t afford to buy more diapers – tell them where they can get free diapers, formula and so much more.  Most people have no idea all the help crisis pregnancy centers provide.  Share that information – share it whenever you can to whoever will listen! If you are wondering what resources are out there, here is a start.Dear Beautiful Woman Considering an Abortion You probably know more than me – please feel free to add links in the comment section!

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  • Continue to offer HOPE, and peace. The women going in there for abortion appointments don’t feel hopeful.  Ask God to help you show these women that there is hope.  And when someone gives you the finger – because I noticed that does happen, just say a prayer for them. Don’t give up.  Lives are saved by people like you.  I hope one day you get to experience that (if you haven’t already)!

P.S. Thank you

<3 Amy

Purchase your Navy colored Prayer Wine Chocolate sweatshirt here!


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Comments

  1. Alicia says

    May 11, 2016 at 8:54 am

    That was perfect. You covered so kindly the things that push people away from truly considering options. No one who is in this situation will think of other options when they are being yelled at or made to feel worse than they do. Love and mercy can and does reach people so much faster and deeper than anger and aggression. Thank you.

    • Amy says

      May 11, 2016 at 8:57 am

      Thank you Alicia! No matter how loving and merciful we are – we can always “add more”!

  2. Karen Grosz says

    May 11, 2016 at 11:08 am

    This is wonderful. God has shown me mercy over and over again. I continue to work on showing it toward others. The nearest abortion facility is 3 hours away so I have never stood outside a facility, but you have me thinking….

  3. Amy says

    May 11, 2016 at 9:07 pm

    I stood outside a Planned Parenthood for the first time last September. I could feel a darkness pressing me down and sinister laughter hissing in my ear. I almost fainted.
    Thank you for this post!

  4. Brittany Fryman says

    May 12, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    I just love reading about your perspective on abortion and your open and loving heart toward the mothers who feel like they have no other options. You’re so sincere with your prayers for them.

    • Amy says

      May 12, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      Thank you Brittany. I think many pro-lifers feel the same way!

  5. brianna george says

    May 15, 2016 at 11:47 pm

    Love never fails. When we love those who are in need love (everyone) we make more of an impact. 🙂

    • Amy says

      May 15, 2016 at 11:49 pm

      Amen, Brianna. Amen.

  6. Anni says

    January 16, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Such a beautifully worded, respectful post. I love the reminders to be merciful. There’s a saying that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, and I think that is a very wise rule of thumb when engaging in the Planned Parenthood debates, and when discussing being pro-life. Such a great reminder to those defending a baby’s right to life.

    • Amy says

      January 16, 2017 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks Anni!

  7. Leslie says

    January 16, 2017 at 3:30 pm

    Great post with a message that is much needed. More love, mercy, and kindness can never be the wrong path to take.

    • Amy says

      January 16, 2017 at 5:17 pm

      Thank you Leslie!!!

  8. Caitlyn says

    January 16, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    Beautiful post. There’s not much to add to what others have already said… this is perfect and I love it! <3

    • Amy says

      January 16, 2017 at 5:18 pm

      Wow, thanks Caitlyn!!!

  9. Kirby says

    January 16, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    Thanks for writing this Amy! I wrent through sidewalk counseling training a number of years ago and I was terrible at it. I just cry. The whole time I’m out there. And I’m not normally a crier! I don’t know what comes over me at those times.
    Instead I support my friends who do have a gift for that ministry and keep being a prayer warrior for them.

    • Amy says

      January 16, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      I have not gone through official sidewalk training – but it is definitely something I would like to do. I feel very nervous before I go there – it really is a spiritual battlefield . . .

  10. Heather M says

    January 16, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    Show mercy. I love this. Actually, I love pretty much the whole post. Sometimes we as people get too wrapped up in causes and fail to see living breathing human beings who are in so many places in life.

    • Amy says

      January 17, 2017 at 8:26 am

      Thank you Heather! We would move forward together so much quicker if we remembered our humanity and that we have more in common than we realize!

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