You’ll never convince me I’m wrong. ‘Where the Streets Have No Name‘, by Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame legend U2, is in fact the best song in the history of the world. If you don’t agree, which I suppose is possible, listen to the masterful version that begins with ‘Amazing Grace‘.

One evening a couple of years ago, living outside the nation’s capital, my husband Tim and I remembered U2 was in town. After a last-minute ticket check, we were set. We headed downtown for an evening of jumping up and down and singing at the top of our lungs. The enthusiasm the band inspires is, in truth, built upon a bit more than the music itself…

Thirty years ago, when Tim and I met at college, our first “hey, we’re the same” conversation was that, despite our divergent musical taste, we both loved U2. Tim’s first delivery to my dorm room front desk was a Rolling Stone magazine with Bono on the cover. He then began to play some of my favorite U2 tunes as he DJed at our local radio station.

We spent the months that followed taking long walks, listening to music and, as young people with very little cash do, driving around a city that slept sharing our hopes, dreams, and a few laughs. Tim and I didn’t agree on everything, but we had similar values and a mutual respect for our differences.

Then came the stunner: I learned my new-found love was “pro-choice.” I knew too much about Tim to think he held this misled position for some nefarious reason. He believed this was a “pro-woman position… You can’t tell a woman what to do with her own body.” Many nights of discussions, built on trust, ultimately led him to change his position. He is now a staunch supporter of life and easily moved to tears at Right to Life of Michigan affiliate dinners.

While anything is possible, people are not inclined to truly change their position on an issue as emotionally charged as abortion on a street corner amidst a brief conversation. It takes an openness on our part and an honest relationship.

When talking with someone and a commonality arises, my sweet nine-year-old niece Sophie holds her hand up with her middle three fingers folded over in a partial fist and the thumb pointed up at her and the pinky pointed up at the other person. She then shakes her little hand, smiles and says “same.”

That’s what we all yearn for: a connection with the people around us. This is what opens hearts and minds, and it is the power behind Right to Life of Michigan. Each of our 80-plus affiliates are the built-in structure for just this sort of connection in communities across our beautiful state.

Together, may we build upon our legacy and recommit ourselves to:

• Reach out and build new relationships,
• Joyfully educate those around us on the value of life,
• Compassionately bring the truth of abortion to women in need so they make a hopeful choice for life, and
• Enthusiastically prepare for a robust election year. Our civic duty only increases in times of trial.

As one of the beautiful ads we are set to launch in the spring implores, “Hope is a choice we make…” Let us rest in His hope, recalling the words of Amazing Grace, “The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endure.”

To all our pro-life leaders and supporters, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for welcoming me back to the pro-life work you have led in Michigan for decades. I am honored to serve alongside you. By the grace of God, we will continue to serve and empower women and save the lives of the unborn.

If you are interested in becoming more involved in advocating for life, please email us at [email protected].