"So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:7
We at Houston Coalition for Life (HCL) have long said that those who pray on the sidewalk may never fully know the impact they have made. That sentiment also holds true for the work we do through our Blue Blossom Pregnancy Centers. While it is true that first and foremost, we are saving innocent preborn lives and their mothers from the grief, horror, and trauma that is abortion, the imprint of the prayers and work from the volunteers and staff at HCL is even more profound. What we do is plant seeds of faith, hope, and love that – over time – creates a culture of life.
Last week, we witnessed one of those seeds in bloom.
A gentleman knocked on the door of our Big Blue Bus, still parked on Gulfcrest Street across from the recently closed mega Planned Parenthood. Our team hesitated at first because he was alone but felt prompted to open the door. He saw the bus while driving by and simply wanted to say thank you and tell his story.
In 2008 – a few years before Big Blue was established – he and his now-wife were very young and unexpectedly pregnant and afraid. Her parents pressured her to abort and brought her to Planned Parenthood, which was then on Fannin Street. But outside that facility, they encountered a sidewalk counselor who pointed them to the Downtown Pregnancy Center where they received support, counseling, and hope. She chose life, and they decided to marry.
Years later, when expecting their next two children, they came to our Big Blue Bus. They knew they wanted those babies and found love, encouragement, and practical help waiting for them.
He shared that if it was not for those praying and the free services they received, he is not certain they would have chosen life for their first child. He recognized that had they aborted their oldest son, they never would have married or built the family they cherish today. He radiated with joy as he spoke about his oldest son – a son he cannot imagine life without.Now, he and his wife want to give back and volunteer.
This is what it means to sow seeds.
Every prayer prayed, every conversation held, every ultrasound performed plants seeds of faith, hope, and love that, over time, help cultivate a culture of life.
It is easy to get discouraged when it seems that the horror of abortion will never end. Even when our laws change to protect preborn life, hearts and minds shaped by decades of abortion culture do not change overnight. A culture of life is not built in a moment. It is cultivated slowly and faithfully. One seed at a time.
So let's continue planting. With unwavering faith, let's watch what God continues to grow!
By Alexandra Sizemore