Last week wrapped up a busy event schedule for me; this fall provided the opportunity to speak at 23 pregnancy help ministry fundraising dinners in just under nine weeks.
The travel can portion can be interesting at times. On one flight as a storm slammed the northwest, our flight attendant told us to tighten our seatbelts and for good measure added, “Go ahead and place your hands on your airsick bags in case you need them.” Not exactly comforting for a guy who must take Dramamine for virtually every flight.
We tumbled into our destination just fine, then I got to watch a warm thunderstorm turn to snow within 30 minutes as I awaited my connection. Thankfully, I got out of there and made it home.
While the travel has its moments, at banquets, one of my favorite aspects is to hear client stories. When moms and dads tell of their journeys to a pregnancy help ministry and how the visit changed their lives, I’m reminded of why we do what we do. I saw a lot of babies (I got to hold a few) and their parents whose lives and worlds have been rescued by a pregnancy help organization.
These clients don’t talk of politics, or of issues we see debated in the media or online forums. What they talk about is those who listened, those who encouraged and those who cared enough to offer real hope and assistance.
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I hear things like, “They were always there for me,” or “I never felt judged,” and “I knew they cared.” That’s good news.
And as I would hold the babies I would realize; one day she will grow up. And we’ve been a part of the process.
Even better? Those times when we see and hear the stories of women helped many years ago. Last week, I saw a mother tell the story of her son, whose birth was made possible by a pregnancy center. He is now 19 years old and a college student, carrying a love for Jesus Christ with him every step of the way.
Then there was a story of a 10-year-old boy, who today sings in his church choir. His mom, helped by a pregnancy help organization, was thrilled to say, “He prays better than I do!”
Tweet This: We not only save lives, we get to be part of changing them too. @KirkWalden #prolife
This is what we do. We not only save lives, we get to be a part of changing lives, too.
In our work as pregnancy help organizations, we build generational legacies. The moment a young woman walks in our door, the opportunity to create a new legacy opens.
Around Thanksgiving tables this week will be babies, toddlers, elementary age children, teenagers and even adults who owe their very lives to the work of a pregnancy help organization. They may not remember us or even know us, but that’s okay.
We remember them, and we remember their moms and dads—and the joy of playing a role in their lives.
And for this, we will all be thankful.
Kirk Walden is a senior writer with Pregnancy Help News, an Advancement Specialist with Heartbeat International and author of The Wall. He also blogs at www.KirkWalden.com. For banquet speaking engagements,
