Rally for Choose Life License Plate Reflection

Read more about the Rally here at the Diocese of Raleigh Website...

The kids and I attended yesterday's rally at the Legislature. We
made the trek to Raleigh to show our support for the Pro-Life license
plate that is being proposed for the 7th year. There was a small
crowd of maybe 100, who stood in front of the Legislative Bldg. and
then later took the time to personally visit their representatives.
But, standing there I have to admit I felt a bit of frustration and
sadness.

Then, last night I began reading "Rediscovering Catholicism" (the
book we got at IBT) and I was struck by this: "A minimalist is
always asking, 'What is the least I can do...?'" This morning I
checked my email and read the excerpt:
Record-Breaking Crowd Sends Message to Legislators
The New Hampshire legislature is known as the third-largest
representative body in the world, ranking behind U.S. Congress and
British Parliament.. .explaining in part why all 400-plus seats in
Representatives Hall and the visitors gallery were filled, with
homeschoolers standing in aisles and doorways, and lines extending
out the door and down several flights of stairs.

While at the rally, I was disappointed in the size of the group. I
was thinking about how impressive it would be if the sidewalk was
overflowing with people. Imagine if so many people had been there
that the walkways were nearly impassible. Imagine if the
representatives offices had lines of people outside of their doors
and down the halls. What kind of impression might that have made?

I thought about the Gay Rights Movement. While they are relatively
small in comparison to the overall population, they sure can hold a
rally that gets them noticed. Please, note that I do not condone
the hatred, intimidation or violence that is sometimes a part of
their tactic (nor do I condone the lifesyle). What is noteworthy is
that they recognize that a crowd gets noticed and is not so easily
ignored.

Of course, I have to concede that the media succeeds in ignoring the
March for Life in DC, but if that kind of crowd began to spring up on
a regular basis, would it be so easily overlooked? Additionally, I
realized that I am part of the problem. I am guilty of minimalism
and for that I am truly sorry. I have excused myself by reasoning
that I am too busy taking care of 7kids, homeschooling, keeping
house, etc. But when I read the word "minimalist" and what it
means, I felt convicted. I am guilty.

I've spoken with many people in the recent months about our fears in
this country. But we are not helpless. God is on our side and we
must trust in Him and follow His example. Jesus was no minimalist
and the disciples learned not to be either. I am writing this to
ask for your prayers for me and for others like me. Please, pray
that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will energize us and drive us into
further action. Let us not grow tired in calling, writing and
gathering to tell and show our representatives and our whole country
that we are here and we will be heard.

Thank you to those of you, who have been in the crowd for years now.
You are an inspiration and I would truly appreciate your prayers.
Please, pray also for my children so that they will become tomorrow's
leaders under the guidance of the Immaculate.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

In His embrace through her Immaculate hands,
TB