Why I Went to the March for Life Anyway?

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Hard to believe that many of us had to enjoy a streaming of the March for Life from the comfort of our own home. At least those that were watching didn’t have to endure the bitter cold conditions like I did.

Then, there were those, like me, that still made the trek to our nation’s capital to keep the tradition alive.

I’m Never Alone

I remember God planting the seeds for this once in a lifetime moment to send a message to others. When I got to the National Mall, I remember looking around and thinking back to the past National Marches that have taken place. Then, as I was snapped back to reality thanks to a trio of cheerful women from Cincinnati, I knew that I wasn’t the only person that still made it to DC to keep it alive.

As I ventured around the rest of the mall, we bumped into people from Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and even South Carolina. People of all walks of life that felt compelled to keep their annual pilgrimage going.

WHY ARE WE HERE?

As we all regrouped, we gathered at the mall. One by one, everyone shared their stories of why they are pro-life. There were two that stood out.

The first was a student from Penn State who shared how his best friend who has such a deep faith recently celebrated his 19th birthday. He later learned that his friend would not be alive if it weren’t for her mother’s “yes” to be here. Because of the example of his friend, he became Catholic after searching for the right answers.

The other story was how a woman shared that his brother with down syndrome who celebrated his 50th birthday and how she is disgusted at how 90% with the same condition are aborted.

Following the sharing of testimonies we all stopped along a familiar place during the march. We waited for our chance and we prayed more.

After 30 minutes and thanks to those who were able to watch the livestream, we all made our way to the national leaders on 3rd Street and processed over to Massachusetts Avenue and onto Second Avenue to the back of the Supreme Court.

In the midst of bumping into amazing friends and making new ones, one thing was clear and that was how extraordinary God provided through my out of the ordinary experience with this year’s March for Life. I even told those that were with me on the National Mall that this whole virtual apparatus will not settle the debate. Rather, it creates a dichotomy that can only be filled by being the foot soldiers we need to be present.

If we are going to win the abortion debate, we need to step away from the screen and be willing to go out into the public square, our community, and even the nearest abortion facility in your community to change hearts and minds.

Today, do your part to make your real presence known.