Yesterday I was out buying some shoes with the boys. I remembered reading that Nike was one of the big supporters of Planned Parenthood and mentioned to Aidan that I would rather not buy products that I know the profits help fund abortions.
We believe life begins at conception. No question. This conviction has little to do with a woman’s right. It has to do with truth and standing for what you believe is morally right, regardless of popular opinion.
This topic was news to my boys. While they know what abortions are I had not told them about the recent disturbing news of PP. So standing there in the middle of a shoe aisle I explained to the boys why I would rather not support them. I also let them know that I would no longer be drinking Starbucks.
Aidan immediately asked what other companies are known supporters. So we stopped and looked them up and were shocked to learn that many of the products we buy support PP.
The moment was incredibly somber and tearful.
The boys asked, “Mom, what clothes can we buy? What shoes can we wear? What phone service can we use? Everything seems touched by evil.”
What a lesson for my kids. And for me. We talked about awareness being the key. Educating ourselves then acting upon what we know. Start somewhere and take a stand for what you believe in. Even though we feel like we’ve been caught up in a huge snowball that is careening out of control, it doesn’t mean we can’t start digging our way out, one shovel at a time.
The PP trail will be a long, slippery one and most likely as tearful as peeling an onion. But we’ve started the journey and we don’t want to be herded like cattle along a path that leads to deception and compromise.
For our family, we are starting with what we know. Taking small steps to stand for what we believe in. Our actions may not cause a huge corporation to stop supporting evil practices but it teaches and trains our hearts to fight for what we know is right, in subtle ways that don’t require yelling at people or debating with a deceived world.
“Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.” 1 Timothy 1:19