Saturday, January 17, 1998

Child's love brings 'Jane Roe' to faith

By BRIAN PALMER / Guest Writer

I can't remember all the times I have had someone tell me he or she doesn't go to church anymore because of hypocrites, arrogance, wrongful accusations, etc.

It is really very discouraging to come across these stories. It is never easy to even remind them, much less convince them, that no matter how many bad apples are out there, we really do need to approach God in a personal manner, no matter what others have said or done.

Our relationship with him doesn't hinge on other's treatment of us, but that is hard to communicate to someone struggling with life who has been cheated or slandered by a church-goer.

However, I was quite uplifted by an article in January's Christianity Today titled "Roe vs. McCorvey" that dealt with the fairly recent developments in the personal life of Norma McCorvey.

McCorvey was the plaintiff at the center of Roe vs. Wade, the court decision that legalized abortion. McCorvey diligently pursued the pro-choice stance for years and was well known for her abrasive, even controversial nature.

Her primary targets were Operation Rescue protesters, and at one point, according to the article, she spit in a protester's face. She had absolutely no use for church or its inhabitants.

However, an odd twist of circumstances led to Operation Rescue's headquarters moving into the office space next to McCorvey's abortion office. Polite conversations eventually ensued, after several not-so-nice ones, and McCorvey met a 7-year-old daughter of one of the Operation Rescue volunteers.

The little girl befriended the "enemy" and didn't wait long to ask why she operated the clinic.

The conversation touched McCorvey deeply, as did the girl's regular hugs of affection.

The girl, Emily, asked McCorvey to church occasionally, and the first time she went the most famous abortion advocate of all time surrendered her powerful will to that most compelling of wills, Jesus Christ.

The article stands alone as an inspiring account of how Christ can change anyone's heart, but it is very meaningful to me in its portrayal of the simple, loving nature of a child.

I firmly believe we will love and befriend more souls into the Kingdom than we coerce or convict.

We need always speak the truth, but remembering where we ourselves came from is a good start to a humble attitude.

If our actions could more often reflect Emily's, Christ's love would be much more visible to the world.