Following the shooting last Friday at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic when a gunman killed three people, including a police officer, and wounded nine others, one Christian pro-lifer decided to go into a local clinic 1,300 miles away–to apologize.
On Wednesday, Sarah Parker brought two dozen peach-colored roses to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Redding, California to say she was sorry, and to thank them for their work.
“I wanted to sincerely apologize as a pro-lifer for how they’re been treated in the name of God, as well as to celebrate them,” Parker told Good News Network after we contacted her. “Our driving motivator that women would have hope and be treated with respect and care is the same.”
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When Parker got the idea to send the bouquet and card, it was completely out of the blue. A vision came to her and she saw herself walking up the front steps of Planned Parenthood.
“I was actually watching Netflix when it happened,” she recalled. “I had a picture coming to my head about three or four times and I knew I needed to do something about it. So I did.”
She says she didn’t do it to receive any kind of accolade, but hoped her gesture of reconciliation might lead to a conversation in their office about Christian ideals.
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Her handwritten letter, which she simply left at the waiting room window with the roses before leaving, said this:
Planned Parenthood Staff…
These flowers are for you, as well as the employees of PP nationwide. I’m a Christian, a pro-life one, but that isn’t my focus today.
With these flowers as a symbol of grace, friendship and unconditional love and a repentant heart; I want to apologize on behalf of those who have mistreated you in the name of religion. That was never done with a heart of love, and I’m sorry.
I also want to express my gratitude for how willingly and with tenacity (you) served the women of Redding, and sought to bring empowerment and hope. At the end of the day, we carry the same goal.
With Beauty and Light, Sarah Parker
“I really just think it’s about having an unconditional love regardless of where people are at–because unconditional love is kinda a big deal and will always ignite restoration.”
(Thanks to Steve Austin for the story tip)