Seventh-grade winner, archdiocese’s pro-life essay contest – 2018

“Face of evil is itself evil, God will not hold us guiltless, not to speak is to speak, not to act is to act.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was a German man who fought the injustices of the Nazi regime. All life is something so precious it should never be ignored.

As a child we are taught to share, be kind to others, and do the right thing. Over the years my parents, teachers and friends have always had a big impact on me to share my talents and gifts that God has given me. This is the upbringing of many children. God has given each and every one of us our own gifts and talents to make a difference in this world. What we do with it is our choice. We do not have to be the greatest speakers or even have all the money in the world. We can all speak and we can all do what is right.

A special gift God has given me is to always be giving and know right from wrong. He has given me a voice to pray and tell others they are loved. He has given me hands to comfort the hurting. He has given me a heart to love. He has given me a brain and a conscience to make decisions right or wrong. Whether it involves giving my time to charities, using babysitting money to buy food for the poor, obtaining an education to help others, smiling at a friend, or even saying a prayer for the poor and afflicted. We can do so much more than we know.

“Nothing is small in the eyes of God,” St Therese. Over the years my family and I have been involved in numerous fundraisers to help the women of our world in making the right decision on saving their own precious child’s life. We have amazing programs right here in Omaha such Essential Pregnancy Services and Nebraskans United For Life. One story told to me was of a young mom who had scheduled an abortion for the next day. As she started to leave the EPS center, a staff member told her that they loved her. The next day the young mom canceled her abortion and made the decision to save her child. Just those three small words had a huge impact on not just the woman herself, but it thus saved the life of her unborn child. This demonstrates how a simple word or prayer can save a life.

The simple act of loving another human life begets more life. Donating time or money is one way we can all help. Even if we do not have the means, we can all say a prayer. People may think they need to help with heroic measures, but I am a child without means to support myself. I can pray, I can speak up, I can love. I can recognize that a child is a child, not a choice to do with this life what you will. This unborn baby is a loving, breathing, human with a heartbeat and a soul. The elderly and disabled are all still children of God. They are sisters and brothers, moms and dads, someone's child, God's child. I was given the gift of life and will not sit quiet while others are denied that right. We are all created in His image and likeness which is in every first Bible story we are read to as a child. Yes, my faith and upbringing is a gift, but all, especially Catholics, need to not sit by and be silent. We all have a voice and need to use it to save our brothers and sisters in Christ.