Speaking for PHL was something
I felt I wanted to do to promote
the pro-life cause. I didn't expect
to enjoy the experience as much
as I do. The simple, beautiful truth
that is PHL's message is generally
received with interest, questions
and -what is so gratifying to me-awe.
I wish I could describe the expressions
on the faces as the students watch
the development of the baby, or
listen to the heartbreaking stories
of the victims of abortion. There
may not be much verbalization or
discussion during some presentations,
but many times students will come
up to me after a presentation with
quiet thanks or enthusiastic, spontaneous
remarks about the beauty of life.
On the days I don't feel I have
the energy or sharpness to do a
good presentation, I am always thankful
that the combination of the Lord,
my real passion for the cause and
the powerful simplicity of the message
are all that is needed for a successful
presentation.
When I was 19 years old, I
was extremely shy and very afraid
to speak to people I did not know
well. I was so intimidated by the
confidence and the social skills
of my co-workers, that I would not
even compliment someone on a new
outfit or hairdo. But maturity brought
me confidence and conviction, and
at age 33, I volunteered to speak
for a church group on the gifts
of marriage. At age 49, I was compelled
to address audiences for my job,
and at 54, I began to speak as a
volunteer for PHL. That was one
year ago. I still get nervous before
each presentation, but I know that
I am communicating a powerful message
and that thought mitigates my fear.
The life message IS a powerful message:
The knowledge that life begins at
conception and ends at natural death,
and that no human being has the
right to terminate his/her own life
or the life of another; the recognition
that Life is a Gift! This is the
message that PHL has strived to
communicate since 1972.
During the past year, I have
given seven presentations in grade
schools and high schools. I am still
very green and new to this task.
The first time I give a presentation
on a specific level, I study the
material and write an outline. The
material is not yet a part of me.
But the belief that there is a need
to speak for life, has become a
part of me, and I want to share
this message.
The psyche of our beings needs
affirmation, and I do get that from
the students and teachers when I
visit schools. Sometimes I am planting
seeds; sometimes I am watering seeds
and sometimes I see the fruit of
the labors in others.
My regular job is extremely
demanding, requiring me to work
many nights and some weekends. One
advantage is the flexibility at
certain times of the month. I am
able to volunteer for PHL a few
hours one or two days each month,
although some months I cannot give
any time at all. Training, outlines,
and resource material are provided
for each level of presentation.
Won't you consider becoming a volunteer
speaker? The personal inner growth
is wonderful, and planting seeds
gives hope of the fruits that will
grow and feed others.
| Katie
and Pierce Keating:
|
Speaking for PHL has been a
most gratifying experience. Not
only do we feel like we are bringing
a much needed and much desired message
to the young people, the impact
it has made on our own children
has been invaluable. It's opened
the door for discussion for many
life issues in a non-threatening
and relaxed manner. Our children
are genuinely interested in the
response of the kids to whom we
speak, and our respective answers
to challenging questions. Without
intending to, we've set them up
for their own answers when confronted
with the life issues in their own
world. The facts surrounding abortion
remain unchanged no matter what
the setting, by sheer osmosis (being
exposed to the videos as we review
them at home, pamphlets left around
the house, precious hands and feet
pins) our own children, and thankfully
many of their friends have embraced
the culture of life with open arms.
There is an increasing array
of signs that we pro-lifers are
winning. The clearest of these signs
is that of the younger generation
taking moral stands on abortion,
chastity, and other sanctity of
life issues.
When we adults were kids we generally
believed what we were told and did
what we were told. Today's kids
don't do that. Faced with a blizzard
of confusing and conflicting moral
information from the secular media
on one side and their parents and
teachers on the other they have
no alternative but to think for
themselves. And they do! And they
come out not simply believing but
knowing right from wrong.
We PHL speakers can and do
take great satisfaction from knowing
we are an important part of that
thinking process. We are not just
another source for the facts these
young people think about. Unlike
the continuous messages from other
sources the PHL speaker represents
a kind of booster shot of pro-life
thinking material.
The end result of being a speaker
for PHL is not just the personal
but very real gratification of doing
something useful and welcomed but
also the recognition of being part
of a morality upgrading process
that is actually working.
