By Lynda MacFarland

“Imagine the impact that we individuals could make by a simple choice. Where once we had chosen not to love, we now choose to love.”
– Mark Mossa, SJ

I read this quote this morning on my very own Facebook account, in my Memories. I actually keep Facebook around at this point just to look at my memories, and to post encouraging or inspiring words like those above. I really do try to be a positive person in a world that is too often filled with too much negativity. 

There is a lot of anger out there and a lot of judgment and condemnation of those who think or believe differently. Additionally, there is very little forgiveness and not a lot of patience or compassion for those who are suffering, I’m sad to say.

But one place I have not found any of those negative tendencies is in maternity homes or in the Pregnancy Resource Centers that operate to help any woman who finds herself in a crisis situation because she is pregnant. 

In my limited time working within the Culture of Life in San Diego I have seen firsthand how the people who are drawn, or better, called to this type of ministry are non-judgmental, incredibly forgiving, unfailingly humble, and hardworking – every day that they show up. And they do show up every day. 

Don’t let anyone who is pro-abortion tell you that the Culture of Life cares only for babies. A single day, a single hour, within any of these facilities reveals just how wrong that impression is. Spending time with these loving, compassionate, patient people (predominantly other women, by the way) inspires and humbles the inquiring visitor or office help like me who comes in
once a week to help out where I can. 

I spent a couple of years as a committee member helping to organize the San Diego Walk For Life and I pray outside Planned Parenthood clinics during the 40 Days for Life campaign a couple of times a year. Because of those experiences that have allowed me to meet so many pro-life individuals, I have witnessed up close and personal the true love of neighbor that exudes from these individuals who only want to accompany a woman in need, to walk beside and help support her from pregnancy, through birth, through whatever else a woman may need after the baby is born. Whether she seeks to place her baby with an adoptive family or raise the child this woman may need all sorts of resources to attain her goals after the birth.