Monday, May 13, 2013

A Pink Carnation

The murder trial of Kermit Gosnell has made abortion worthy of front page news these past few weeks.  The details are horrific.  I’ve been praying that the murder of innocence would come to an end in this country.      As I read details of the trial online another new story caught my attention coming from Planned Parenthood of Wilmington, Delaware.


I was born at Wilmington General Hospital.  Years later I attended Delaware Tech along Shipley Street.  My brother owns Dun-Rite Tires at the edge of the city.  My sister works at West End Neighborhood House in Little Italy.  My husband frequently services the HVAC systems of the various buildings of DuPont.  Many family members of mine live around Wilmington.  I know the area well.   

So my heart sank when I read that just blocks from where I went to college a Planned Parenthood clinic was performing “meat-market style of assembly-line abortions…”

In college I would walk down Market Street to hand out Gospel Tracts to folks on their lunch hour.  People were very receptive and I regret not doing it more. 

There is a time to pray and there is a time to get up off your butt and do something.  So that is what I did today.  I put my three sons in the car and headed south for Wilmington. 

“Where are we going Mommy?”

“We’re stopping to pick up flowers and then we’re going to Planned Parenthood.” I replied.

My boys ask too many questions on a normal day.  So you can imagine what the car ride there was like this morning. 

Prince Harry has been in the news recently for his work to carry on the legacy of Princess Diana - to rid world of landmines.  What legacy will I leave to my children?  If I died today and someone asked them – “What was important to your Mother?”  What would their response be?  Will they one day seek to be devoted to a cause just as Prince Harry is today?  How did Princess Diana have such an impact on her young children?  It wasn’t because she told the world via her Facebook status what was important to her.  She was hands on and compassionate about her charitable organizations.

I parked my car along Market Street around 11:30 and after about 20 questions regarding the need to put quarters in a parking meter (I kid you not!) we started walking.  I pushed Daniel in his stroller while Jonathan and Jason walked just in front of me.  First we walked down 7th Street then walked the block around Planned Parenthood.  I pointed out the building to my boys and explained to them that babies were killed behind those walls.  They were quiet. 

Men have been kicked out of the Abortion debate – made to feel like they have no right to have an opinion.  It is my goal to be very intentional about making sure my boys have an opinion about abortion. 

Silence has been deadly since 1973.

Since no one was out and about along the sidewalks of Planned Parenthood we returned to the bustling area of Market Street.  I armed the boys with long stem pink carnations with a Mother’s Day note attached that read as follows…

I trust you had a Happy Mother’s Day.  You may not have children and your Mom may not be a part of your life but there is still reason to celebrate.  As a woman you have the power to influence young lives around you.  Will you take the opportunity or let it pass by?
 
By now you may have heard of the Gosnell Trial in the news.  Did you know that a Planned Parenthood along Shipley Street is under investigation for similar practices?  The Bible says “…children are a gift of the Lord…”    But behind closed doors the sounds of sweet babies are silenced with scissors.  Arms that would embrace a Mother’s neck are ripped apart.  The truths of abortion are horrific.
 
If you or someone you love is faced with an unplanned pregnancy you’re not alone.  Psalm 68:5 says that God is “…a father to the fatherless…”  Crisis Pregnancy Centers happily offers free and confidential pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and counseling. 

May God Be With You.

“Of all the rights of women,
the greatest is to be a mother.”
Lin Yutang


I have incredibly cute children.  So, putting flowers in their arms just made them irresistible!  Each lady greeted with a pink carnation smiled and even laughed as my boys reached up to them and said “Happy Mother’s Day.” 

I may never know the outcome of today’s adventures, but I will continue to pray for my flowers.  I hope that they have an impact on at least one person, especially an unborn one. 
Now...what to do for Father's Day?    

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12 comments:

  1. This brought tears to my eyes Dawn! You're leaving a WONDERFUL legacy!
    Love,
    Ang

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  2. Beautiful. Thank you SO much for teaching your children the value of life! I would like to know how they responded with questions later? I am passionate about the pro life movement, but haven't had the conversation with my fiver year old daughter yet. I need to and would love any pointers you can offer.

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    1. The boys' biggest question was WHY? Why would a Mommy want to kill her baby. I have a 7 month old baby and they know how much work he is. I explained to them that some Mommies just don't want to do that work.
      I didn't use the word Abortion with them. I just kept the vocabulary simple. I regret using the word "Doctor" though. I take the baby to the "Doctor" for check ups, so they were confused. Thanks for reading.

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  3. im down to join you in anything on fathers day - sara dirk.. saraetabl@yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you. For now I covet your prayers on what to do next. Are you from the Wilmington area?

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  4. Beautiful! You've given me a wonderful idea to help out on the opposite side of the country here on the West coast. God bless you for your work!

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    1. I'm happy to inspire you. May God Bless your efforts.

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  5. What an amazing way to serve as a witness for God's grace. I was a young Mom, pregnant with my first at 19, and single. I feel a huge amount of compassion for these mothers, and passion for the pro life movement, both from my own personal history, and my present life, in which family is my most precious gift, and my children are blessings I cannot imagine life without. Thank you for sharing your service. It is inspiring. Let me know what you plan to do for Father's day, my family and I will gladly join you in ministry, and it will spread to PA as well! :)

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    1. I am actually in PA and closer to the West Chester clinic but I don't know the area at all, that's why I went to Wilmington. You should head up something there :) But you're more than welcome to join me in DE if I do something for Father's Day.

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  6. What a wonderful idea! As the mother of eight children, 6 of them boys, I have often had to answer the question "why would anyone want to kill their baby?" I pray that your actions this Mother's Day have touched the hearts of many.

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  7. Wow, Dawn, I got goosebumps reading this! I am so proud of you, and I can just imagine Ruth... If she wouldn't have jumped in the car and gone with you, she would have been SO proud of you! Thank you for your courage and inspiration!

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