While I was there I met up with some Meg Mile's friends. (People from an amazing group on Facebook called "Megs Miles Supporters") Two of which my BFF and I roomed with the night before the race. And the two gals ran the SF race with me. I actually stuck with one of them the whole way and crossed the finish line with her! We only got separated a couple times during the race, but always found each other. The other gal finished before us by just a few minutes!
This race was fun, and I did get my 2nd fastest time on a half marathon course. Which made me super happy, since my PR is on a very flat and easy course. But there was another reason I ran the San Francisco marathon (the 1st half). I just became a LIFE Runner not too long ago. And I even started a local chapter where I live, in Orange California. And this was my first half marathon where I had my shirt! So I decided to go for it and dedicate this run to the unborn and the women who have to face a very tough decision and need our help!
While I toured the city of SF the day before the race I realized I had chosen to run with this LIFE Runner's jersey on in a very liberal city. Kind of a bold move... but I decided it was a good move. One God would bless. So I donned my new LIFE Runners shirt with pride and went out to spread the message. I didn't say much to anyone, but I figured the shirt was a living billboard on my back. And if anyone wanted to ask me about it, I was ready to share what LIFE Runners was about.
During the race no comments were made to me about it, except from one older man running by who tapped me on the shoulder. He said, "I love your shirt! God bless you!" And he ran ahead. The last time I wore this shirt I ran a 10k, and I had two people say something similar. I love that God sends encouragers our way when we need that little affirmation that we are doing the right thing. And maybe no one else had anything to say, or even noticed the shirt. But that is okay. I would like to think I planted a few seeds though and caused people to say, "Hmmmm."
LIFE Runners has become a new passion for me, because I can no longer stand the news in the media about abortion and Planned Parenthood. It enrages me. On the flip side when I hear stories of women losing their babies or having to go to an abortion clinic because the baby they had prayed and long for wasn't developing and they had to get a D&C to remove their precious child, it hurts my heart for those women. Sometimes things happen that are beyond a woman's control, and abortion becomes a necessity. And I want those women to know, I am not aiming any anger at you at all.
There is a difference to me regarding women who decide to take the life of an unborn and completely healthy child. Who think, it's a women's right issue. Who think it simply is "their choice and their body." That is what infuriates me, as well as the abortionists who coldly perform these abortions or assist them. The women that truly have to have an abortion due to health problems with the baby, and there are risk to themselves to carry that child... I place no judgement on them. In fact judgement on the former is not up to me either, but is in God's hands. And I know that the blood of the unborn will be paid for one day. He will make all things right in the end.
When I think of the brokenness of the women who don't know what other choice they have, that choose an abortion out of desperation and confusion, that just breaks my heart. So what am I to do? Besides fight against Planned Parenthood being funded by our tax dollars (which I am absolutely against) I am also fighting for Pregnancy Crisis Centers to be better funded and to be more well known as a choice. There IS another choice out there! I bet you have a local pregnancy crisis center in your neighborhood and didn't even know it! Get to know where they are. And be prepared to tell a woman in need about it, if you ever come across a scared woman who is pregnant and has no idea what to do with a baby or can't fathom being pregnant and continuing life the next 9 or so months that way. Send them there! Save the life of an unborn child, and help a woman get the support she needs to make the best decision for herself, her physical and mental well being, and for that baby.
These clinics are also there to help women who have undergone an abortion and are feeling remorse. They need our love and support as well. These clinics will offer help and encouragement to those women. So, remember that as well. Keep your ears and eyes open for the hurting, and help them find their way to those that can help them best.
If you live in Orange County CA, there is a center that my chapter is supporting. And if you would like more information follow this link: http://www.living-well.org/ If you would like to support my chapter's fundraising efforts to help this local pregnancy crisis center go to our fundraiser page: www.razoo.com/team/Life-Runners-Oc-Chapter
One of the Meg's Miles groups mottos is, "Be the good." And this is one way I feel God is leading me to do just that. "Be the change you wish to see in the world!" -Gandhi
