One of the main themes in the documentary No Impact Man (which I referred to in an earlier post) is the family’s daily struggle to give up the things they are used to, do away with the luxuries, and do without the conveniences.
That got me thinking about what I could fast from during 40 Days for Life (forty days of peaceful prayer and fasting to end abortion). At the time I saw the film, I hadn’t yet decided what to fast from, but this movie gave me so many great ideas. Buying new clothes? Beef? Individually packaged treats? My car?
One thing that impressed me was that the man and his wife decided to conserve electricity by no longer using elevators. Picture walking up nine flights of stairs with three bags of groceries and a toddler, and you get the idea. So I decided that I too would refrain from using elevators for the next forty days, if not beyond.
My trip to the tenth floor is certainly strenuous, but with each step I can pray for a mother who is considering ending her child’s life by abortion and I can also feel good knowing that I’m not draining electricity from the grid. If you’d like to fast or do something that is both spiritually powerful and eco-friendly, follow the link for more ideas from the No Impact Man blog.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
My daughter asked me about 40 days of Life, as we get update emails regularly into our family inbox. She’s in 8th grade, and I thought- I missed the mark! This was something in which I should have included my children. But, starting late is better than never beginning, and the eldest have decided to sacrifice 1/2 hour of something they do and pray for the unborn instead. They each keep a prayer journal and like to write down their prayers.
But I wanted to address something else- fostering a culture of life in young children. I often remind my kids how much Jesus loves the little children, and include the fact that babies in their mommies’ tummies are the littles of the children who he loves. With those who are exposed to the media (which often begins with kids at age 5/6), in my home, we talk about real issues and use real words, like abortion. For those who think their young children are oblivious to what’s going on in the media, ask them what they know about a number of “hot button” topics- you’ll likely be surprised.
Some friends and family haven’t agreed with me. I’ve been accused of indoctrinating my children, but I think, “Yeah, and…?” I’ve been accused of exposing them to topics that aren’t age appropriate. Now, my 1st grader doesn’t know what partial birth abortion is, but my 8th grader does. If I don’t inform them, the world will. I preferred that, when my 8th grader heard that term that she understood what it meant and got its gruesomeness. I want my kids to be passionate about things in life, and that means exposing them to things that are wonderful as well as the truth about things that are horrible. And, for those who’d prefer to stick their heads in the sand, I’d say that children are already being indoctrinated by a culture that is very much anti-life.
Last year, one of the teachers in my children’s school was reprimanded about talking about abortion issues with our 7th graders. Some parents didn’t like it, but I thought the school’s reaction was wimpy. Nothing the teacher said was untrue, but parents brought up that word again- indoctrination. When we don’t teach our children with conviction and honesty, they will become lukewarm, and that to me is a HUGE failure.
I wish their was more available for our children through our schools and faith formation that more directly addresses the importance of protecting the unborn. I can think of only one thing sweeter than a child praying, and that’s a child praying for another child. It can start that simply.
(I apologize for length of this post, but its something about which I am passionate)