When the Unexpected Happens

I was planning on attending my first ever March for Life in Washington D.C. this past January. I was so excited and ready to partake in one of the biggest pro-life rallies in the country – an event that was an accumulation of everything that I believe in and continually work for. I had everything bought, prepared, and packed, and all I had to do was board the bus and leave. Nothing could have stopped me at that point; no setbacks or obstacles.

However, about 5 hours before I was due to depart, the unexpected happened. The trip was cancelled due the impending mega snow storm coming to the D.C. area. I wish I could say I was ok with the call – that I completely understood the potential risks and the possibility of all our safety being in danger. I wish I could say I wasn’t upset, but in all honesty, I was so angry and disappointed at the call, I didn’t unpack any of my stuff for the next couple of days.

Everything Happens for a Reason

I could not for the life of me understand why God would send a snow storm to cancel a national event that vocalizes the cries of His innocent children. But it was in the next couple days, as I was actually unpacking my suitcase, when I came to the understanding and peace of mind about the events. In all my years I’ve realized the validity and truth to the statement “Everything happens for a reason.” First I had to understand that even though the trip was cancelled for the majority of people from St. Louis, the March for Life 2016 was not. There were still attendees that took the snow head on and battled through it – and for that I am not jealous, I am very thankful.

It was in this way that the Pro-Life movement was tested – can you still support life in the face of a mega snow storm? And even though I did not go, I did support life in the local ways – through the mass and the rally held in St. Louis. Just because there was a lack of physical unity in D.C. there was a broader unity when people came together to defend and celebrate life all across the country. This shows the media and others, as well as serving as a reminder to us, that the fight for life is not a force to be reckoned with. So, in a sense, the storm did not win, the Pro-Life generation did, as its spirit and passion was not torn apart or wounded.

I am extremely thankful for the quick guidance and accommodations made by everyone to continue the fight for life. The mass and rally held at the Cathedral Basilica was a true representation, not only of our undefeatable spirit, but the importance and great value that the pro-life message carries. Everyone could have easily taken the day off to relax and recuperate, but instead we continued the fight for life and showed support for the unborn babies in unison for the people in D.C. and all over the country.

Trusting in God’s Plan

The cancellation of what would have been my first Pro-Life March has actually taught me one of the most important lessons in this fight. Things don’t go as we want to – we face many setbacks, shortcomings, and obstacles. This is because if we had everything our way, abortion and the abuse of human life would be a thing of the past – but that’s simply not the way things are. In this movement, we sometimes are let down when a bill fails to pass the House, another Planned Parenthood opens, or similar things. But we have to face these difficulties with compassion and humility – knowing that some things are out of our hands, and in this we must trust God and know that He has a greater plan for all of us.

Unity, passion, and humility is what is going to continually push the Pro-Life movement forward. I believe that my generation embodies these characteristics and we will see abortion come to an end. With these virtues and the youth’s new ideas and reenergized focus, the fight for life will continue to be the voice for the voiceless and the light for the misguided. In order for this to happen, we must work hard, trust in God, and know that everything happens for a reason.