Speaking out and being grateful

As the Liberal government continues to think of ways to hinder pro-life activities, it is easy to become discouraged. In Ontario, the provincial government is responding to the peaceful efforts of the 40 Days for Life Campaign by proposing bubble zones around clinics. Those who stand on the sidewalk outside of clinics and hospitals that perform abortions praying and offering life affirming options are, apparently, just too threatening. 

Adding to the controversy, the news got ahold of the story that students can receive some of their mandatory volunteer hours by participating in the 40 Days for Life Campaign, or by doing other pro-life activities. This, claims our premier Kathleen Wynne, was never the intention of volunteer hours. Of course, students may receive credit for other types of community outreach, as long as Wynne deems these forms of outreach acceptable. After all, as Joyce Arthur of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada so wisely pointed out, “Anti-choice protesting has nothing to do with social justice! It’s about harassing women and being against their human rights.”

Once again, our right to express our views is under attack. Realizing that no matter how we attempt to speak out on behalf of pre-born children, we will be accused of harassment can be very disheartening. Once again, everyone needs to be urged to continue to stand up, to refuse to be silenced. And today, we are reminded that there are still so many things to be grateful for. 

We may be grateful that we live in a country where our voices may still be heard, and we are still permitted to express our views. We may be thankful that there is hope for the pro-life movement, that lives have been saved and hearts and minds changed when we have stepped outside of our comfort zones to share the truth. And we may be thankful that we do not have to stand alone, because the pro-life movement is growing quickly. 

You may be discouraged, you may be frustrated, but today and everyday remember that there is always something to be thankful for.