"Don't Close Your Eyes"

Creation 2012

As we pulled away from Creation, large clouds of dust billowed up around us fogging our vision and making the way dim and shadowy ahead of us. As our windshield wipers cleaned away the dirt once again lighting our path, it reminded me that women who have abortions need someone to enter into their darkness with light. This is what the booth at the Federation did at Creation Fest 2012. 

The faint whir of the fan was drowned out by the music and voices at the PA Pro Life Federation Booth. As I looked down at the baby models we handed out, I noticed that no two looked alike. The models, though mere rubber, were representations of precious human beings made in the image of God. I loved the simple faith and wisdom of children who so clearly understood that the models represented human life within the womb and smiled at the gentle way they held them.

The Federation's table served as a beacon of hope, truth, and healing to those with varying testimonies. For the first time many  saw what a  baby looked like within the womb by holding the baby models and watching an ultrasound dvd. Young teen guys were challenged and encouraged to stand up and be real men and protect women and pre born babies. Girls were challenged that they were worth waiting for. Little children were shown just how tiny they were within their mother's womb, and others were told how abortion is a calculated means to kill the human race.

Stepping outside the building where the Federation's table was held, I could see smoke rising from the many campfires. The air around me was filled with the shouts of people while different food venues lined the grass and a mass of tents, vans, and campers fanned out around me.   Above me on the stage, bold white letters formed Creation - A Tribute to Our Creator. The lights from the stage flashed red and white as they wildly blinked on and off while large strobe lights cast light over the thousands of people who had gathered with enthusiasm. 

The drums pounded in my chest, and it was as if the ground and air around me shook from the sheer volume and intensity of the music. As the crowd swayed to the music, it was like a giant tidal wave started at the stage and swept over the entire audiance engulfing us with the hype. The mood stilled and sobered as Switchfoot sang the lyrics, "Don't close your eyes; this is your life.  Are you who you want to be?"  Abortion has claimed  over 54 million human lives and will continue to do so if we do not stand up and fight against the injustice.

With this thought I turned my eyes upwards as delicate, luminous lanterns floated up into the night sky until they finally  disappeared. Today, we face one of the greatest social injustices of all time - abortion. Will you shine brightly with the flame of life or will you flicker and fail in the darkness? Will we allow abortions to remain unsafe, legal and common? " As I stood there I realized God has called us to be his lanterns here on earth. “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.” ― William Wilberforce 

Pro Life Advocate--- Abigail Kiehl----

A Life Forever Changed

With the New Year close at hand I cannot help but look back at the path my life has taken. I recognize that where I am today is not where I ever would have dreamed I'd be as a young girl.

I never thought I would be giving my life to fight for social justice in the name of Christ. I am so happy that God had a different purpose for me then I ever dreamed of! Pro life has been the most rewarding and fulfilling investment I have ever been blessed to engage in!

Five years ago around this time God took a hold of my life and broke my heart forever over abortion. Since then I have never be the same.

Once I started looking for the pain I found it was all around me and I was gripped with the fact I could no longer claim ignorance. I could not open up the hurt and wounds of others and then not offer them Christ. I could not tell someone that they were courageous enough to give birth to their baby without offering the support and care needed for them to do so. I could not tell them God loved them without being God's love to them. I could not expect others to know the truth about abortion and be educated if I was not willing to be speaking out on abortion.

I recognize that for 19 years I aided abortion. I did so by being silent on the issue and being too blind to see the hurt in those around me who suffered from post abortion stress. I was ignorant to the fact that 1/3 of my generation was missing from abortion and therefore did nothing to help those who were being aborted. I was completely oblivious that abortion effects an entire generation and leaves men and women in shame and hurt until they are able to walk the path of God's healing. I recognize now that ignorance and apathy aids social injustice.

Looking back over these past five years and into the year ahead I praise God for gripping my heart over the horrific reality of abortion and for making me incapable of ignoring its horror. I praise Him because it is only in Christ that I have been able to see the abuse and be motived to fight for the restoration of God's people. Jesus is the one who opened the eyes of my heart and showed me just how precious and sacred life created in His image is. I praise Him because I have passion to live and die for!