A few moments ago I read a story about a woman who had an abortion more than 30 years ago. She’s participating in this year’s 40 Days for Life, sharing her story with others, and helping to spread the pro-life message. The event she attended actually received some local press coverage, which is cause enough for wonder, but the coverage was positive, which is cause for joy!

The press article quoted the woman in the story as saying:

“Not everyone that has had an abortion can stand here and be able to face a crowd. But that courage comes from Him who selects those that can do it.”

Now, I’m very, very glad and very, very thankful that she had a change of heart. God is so good! I do, however, have one little thing to say about her theology: God does not select those who can do His will. God gives His aid and His grace to those who He chooses to do His will. “What God commands he makes possible by his grace (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2082).” It is all to His glory, His credit, not ours.

Scripture is filled with stories of sinners who were chosen by God to fulfill some part of His plan. And most of them tried to talk God out of choosing them, saying that they were not capable of performing the task set before them. God, with patience and understanding, listened to the complaints and the whining, and then went right ahead and proceeded to do what He had said He would do through the instruments He had chosen, reminding them that it was not because they were strong or mighty or wise or beautiful or anything at all but because He is God and the author of life, the world, and events in that world.

What God asked of man then, and what He asks of us now, is trust. The kind of trust that can grow into love. The kind of love that says, Yes, to God and to life. The kind of love that says, No, to those who want us to deny God and take away life. The kind of love that only God can give, He who is the source of love and light and joy and freedom.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly. — John 10:10, Douay-Rheims translation.