Eunice Vignette

In silent awe, as she slowly stepped away from the computer, the sorrow Eunice felt over what she had just heard intensified with each passing moment. She had joined in with the online broadcast of the monthly church fellowship for seniors. Stay-at-home orders had kept their group from meeting in the church dining room. However, their speaker, a leader from a local pro-life group, had agreed to do a live, online broadcast so that the seniors could have a virtual meeting.  

Just as well. The topic was not a happy, rejoicing over a meal with your friends, type of theme. It was about death and COVID-19.

For many years their speaker, Florence Jane, had been active in pro-life protests, rescues and helping mothers keep their babies. Jane gave a brief autobiography and a few interesting stories about pro-life rescues. Then she spoke briefly about the COVID-19 virus.

From the start, no one imagined the tragic deaths, economic turmoil and isolation that a tiny microbe could cause. Jane encouraged continued prayer for healing and a vaccine to stop the ravage. Applauded leaders who took action, medical workers, grocery store workers and transport workers. Requested continued prayer for their protection.

“Pray for our supply chain and for toilet paper,” she added with a chuckle.

Then Jane said, “Just want to leave you with some interesting statistics to think about. In the year 2017, the total number of abortions in the U.S. was a staggering 862,320 babies killed in the womb. This virus named COVID-19 so far since it started in January and as of Apr. 17, has killed a total of 34,814. Get the picture. In 2017, here in the U.S., we have intentionally killed six times more babies than the coronavirus. Now, I’m not pretending to have all the answers. But I think we need to tell God we’re sorry. Get on our knees and ask for his mercy. And let it begin with me. Love you all. Keep praying…”

Emotionally numb, Eunice sat still in her rocking chair, Jane’s words still echoing in her head. Burdened with the reality and enormity of all those little lives ended–thrown away–she began weeping.

God if this is really true–we need to–to do something…

As the tears rolled down her face, Eunice got down on her knees and prayed.

God have mercy on us…Lord of all creation…by your command you created everything…created mankind in your own image…have mercy on us…Lord of all, please forgive…have mercy on us…

This story is a fictionalization. Any mention of people and places are used fictitiously and any likeness to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.