moral concerns THE MARCH FOR LIFE 2017
For everything there is a season , and a time for every matter under heaven . A time to be born and a time to die … a time to keep silent and a time to speak …. ( Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a , 7b )
It was our rookie season . After many years of supporting the pro-life cause through local activities and prayer , we heard strongly the Lord ’ s call to do it ! So at age 73 , we joined the group from I . P . C . and other local churches heading to Washington , DC , for the 2017 March for Life . It was time to speak with our presence , to stand up for life at the largest pro-life event in our country . We had great expectations , and we were not disappointed .
We met on a balmy Thursday afternoon to board the bus to begin our journey with 43 others ranging in age from 6 years to some like us , well into our senior years . Art Broadwick stepped onto the bus to offer a brief inspirational send-off based on his personal history with the March and I . P . C .’ s 25-year history of participation . He reminded us of the Scriptural foundation for the pro-life position and the pressing need to protect the unborn and elderly who , without people like us , would not have a voice with the legislative , judicial , and executive branches of government and with the hearts and minds of our fellow Americans . It was a time to witness to the truth that is revealed in Psalm 139:13 , 16 : For you formed my inward parts ; you knitted me together in my mother ’ s womb …. Your eyes saw my unformed substance ; in your book were written , every one of them , the days that were formed for me , when as yet there was none of them . With this framework prayed into our hearts , we were officially off to Washington .
The miles passed quickly by as we visited with our fellow travelers , ate a delicious box supper prepared by Cheryl and the kitchen staff , and took a couple of rest stops . Before disembarking for a quick night ’ s sleep in Chester , VA , John Garnett shared several Scriptures the Lord had brought to mind as he prepared for the trip . The words of the Lord he offered from II Chronicles 20:15b spoke to us : “ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde , for the battle is not yours but God ’ s .” It provided us with the opportunity to look forward , not focusing on what has not happened in the past 44 years since the passage of Roe v . Wade , but on what God is capable of doing and the limitless possibilities before us . As we headed into Washington early Friday morning , this spirit of optimism was underscored by the testimony of Brandy Barrow to the miraculous survival of her niece whose life was threatened by a difficult pregnancy and her baby whom doctors ’ believed should be aborted . Even with her life at risk , she chose not to have an abortion , but to give her baby the gift of life . She and her family have watched him grow from an initial birth weight last fall of one pound to over five pounds .
Launched into a very chilly , windy city , our group met first with the staff of our two Georgia senators . We were updated on possible legislation and pending Senate votes including a strong belief ( which has since been fulfilled ) that President Trump would nominate a Supreme Court justice who supported pro-life values . They shared the positive outlook which they saw in the government for the first time in many years . A number of people from our group and other pro-life groups present respectfully urged the two gentlemen to convey to their respective superiors the importance of acting in a timely manner on prolife issues while they could be signed into laws by a sympathetic president . A request was made to the Senators that they plan next year to meet with their Georgia constituents and also walk with a Georgia delegation in the March as a show of solidarity , leadership and inspiration . Participants were encouraged to contact elected officials as we were told that such efforts did carry significant weight in the legislative process . A similar meeting at the end of the day with representatives Buddy Carter and Rick Allen rounded out our time in Washington and sent us home with high hopes that the government would move forward on a variety of prolife fronts . This echoed Vice President Pence ’ s remarks shared at the Rally that “ Life is winning in America .”
The most memorable part of the day for us was participating in the massive March itself . Hundreds of thousands of likeminded people of all ages walked down Constitution Avenue from the Washington Monument to the steps of the Supreme
Court in support of life . Among the most inspiring groups were those comprised of young people , all of whom were fully engaged , cheerfully participating , respectful of fellow marchers and the security officers stationed along the route , and friendly to all whom they encountered . Interacting with them made us hopeful for the future of this country and for prolife issues in general . They really did seem to know why they were there and to understand the importance of speaking out by their actions .
Continued enthusiasm for the day met us as we settled back on the bus for the return trip to Savannah . People shared their experiences , and we were able to watch excerpts from the day ’ s events on the bus TVs . After supper we all settled in to sleep as we were able between rest stops . As we left the bus in Savannah , we reflected on the blessings provided by the Right to Life Committee , especially Murle Breer and Forrest Williams with the support of Cindy Sutlive and others , who had worked so hard to make all the arrangements including preparing a thorough and informative brochure of information for the trip , copying maps of the areas we would be visiting in Washington , providing the food , drinks and snacks , and encouraging and shepherding us every step of the way .
As we pulled into our garage at about 5 a . m . Saturday morning , we remarked that we hadn ’ t stayed up all night since our high school graduation . However , this had been quite a different celebration for us — a celebration of the life of others and of the truth that God indeed has a plan and purpose for each one of His children . It had been a time to remember that many can speak with one voice when led by the omnipotent , loving Father . It had been a time of growing into a deeper understanding of what He is doing in America and to respond as He calls . It was a time to focus on the knowledge that it is His battle . It will continue to be a time to be remembered as His plan unfolds .
Frank and Lucy Brannen
MESSENGER MARCH 2017 PAGE 9