Saturday September 24th, 2022 – Holy Rosary Church 630 7th Ave. North,
Edmonds, WA 98020 – 6pm

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Hebrews 12:1

I, like many of you, was patiently waiting as the time drew near when the injustice decided almost 50 years ago would be no more. Like all of you I was shocked to read of the ‘leak’ from the Supreme Court clerk’s office on Tuesday evening. The immediate reaction was a mix of joy, disbelief, and reluctance. What the heck?

As the story progressed and more details came to light about the possible nefarious motives of the “leak” lots of emotions and prayers raged through the hearts and minds of those of us who continue to stand firm in our faith and profess to the world that the protection of life is the test of tests He has placed before us.

Riots and protests erupted around the country at the news. Violence has been done to various pro-life clinics and groups. Little hits like trolling pregnancy resource clinics, like Next Step, and leaving false reviews to bigger punches like rocks thrown through pregnancy clinic windows and members or various pro-life groups being verbally harassed and bodily threatened.

Thankfully, so far, life has gone on as usual here at Next Step. Babies are being welcomed, young women and receiving life-changing news, clothes are being sorted and shared, toys are being picked out and taken home with smiles.

I invite you, friends of Next Step, to keep our ministry, our staff and volunteers and above all our clients in your hearts and in your minds and in your prayers. It is a critical time. A pivotal time for all defenders of life. Here in WA an overturning of Roe would mean something very different for say a PRC in Texas or Oklahoma. WA will become a safety net state for all those seeking abortion and we need to be prepared to meet these women, and their families, in their time of need and their time of uncertainty. More support then ever will be needed to keep Next Step on the map with open doors and the staff, services and supplies needed to be there when they come.

On Tuesday I was asked for our thoughts on the “leak” by a reporter from King 5. That can be tricky. I was very uneasy at the prospect of again allowing myself to get in front of a camera that may or may not slice and dice my words in the worst way. But I did – very very briefly. I highlighted again, as I did a couple months ago on King 5, the services Next Step provides. The certainty of our mission, unapologetically pro-life, and pro-woman and pro-family no matter what. That’s us. It thankfully did not blow up in my face.

There was also airtime given to a director from Pro Choice of Washington. And like our mantra about options other than abortion – I needed to ensure that every person was aware that there are answers and options that do in fact exist for them that do not include the termination of their own children and the hollowness and sorrow that follow. So I got in there.

As the verse at the top says – we’re on an obstacle course of sin and worldly distractions. So easily ensnared. We need to keep running the race He has made for us. Til the very end. I pray you will continue to support our clients and our mission – even more so than before – as we edge ever closer to this critical and momentous time in our nation’s history. When a grievous wrong will be righted and an innumerable lives will be saved.

Blessings

Heather

nextstepnw.com

nssupport.org

(photo is from the cover of Life magazine 1965)