The Heart of Christ

Details: 12 March 2010

At this year’s Catholic Social Services banquet, I was privileged to present the agency’s annual Cor Christi (The Heart of Christ) award to Bob and Pam McCabe. The McCabes were honored for their work in organizing the “sidewalk counselors” and prayer presence outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Lincoln for the past dozen or so years.

I mentioned in my introduction that Bob and Pam’s efforts provide the last line of defense to protect women and their children from the violence of abortion. Being visibly present—with a smile, caring words, kneeling in prayer—as women drive into the abortion facility can literally make the difference between life and death for a baby.

Several years ago, Pam received a letter from a woman who changed her mind about having an abortion because of the presence of people praying outside the facility. Addressing the letter to “My angels sent from God” she said the following:

“As we arrived, we pulled into the parking lot and there was a group of people praying on their knees. I can remember even making a joke of it as we parked the car. We got out, and as we walked to the entrance, I again looked over at this group of people praying. At that point God’s spirit hit me like a ton of bricks.

“I began frantically crying in my sister’s arms. In my 20 years on this planet, I have never felt that before. It felt like a 500-pound weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was no longer afraid, and I knew everything would be okay.

“My family was thrilled I chose to keep the baby, but most importantly I was thrilled. My son was born in August, and he is the BEST blessing God has ever given me. He is my joy, my pride, and my very reason to live… I often look into his beautiful little eyes and many times cry thinking about the decision I almost made. If it had not been for you, well, I don’t even like to think about it.

“Thinking back to that day, I remember it being very cold. Those people who were gathered at Planned Parenthood that day could have very easily stayed at home… Because they didn’t, I was able to see God in them; I was able to see what I was about to do was a terrible mistake.”

“I know how discouraging your fight can be at times, and I hope you never give up… Words cannot express how thankful I am of you and your presence that morning. I will always be eternally grateful for what you have done for me.”

Letters like these punctuate the reality of actual human lives that are at stake in the battle against abortion. Unfortunately, for every life that is spared from abortion, many more are violently destroyed. Roughly 9,000 babies have been destroyed by abortion at the Planned Parenthood facility in Lincoln since it opened in 1996.

However, there is no question that there are people walking this earth because of the dedication of Bob and Pam McCabe and others like them who sacrifice their time, talent, treasure and comfort to be that last line of defense against abortion. And I know that Bob and Pam would say that the best way to honor them is to join them.

Planned Parenthood operates its abortion facility in Lincoln on Tuesdays. On those days there are “sidewalk counselors” present from at least 6:30 a.m. until the last woman leaves the facility (sometimes late in the afternoon).

If you are feeling a call from God to offer your time, talent and heart to this life-saving outreach, please contact Bob and Pam at 402-489-7968. If you’re not ready to make that call, please pray every Tuesday for them, the other “sidewalk counselors” and the women scheduled for abortions that day.