I have been so upset lately by the amount of hate I’ve seen in my news feed lately. I wrote a very long blog about it the other day on my personal blog. I’m not going to share that here because it is my personal opinion and doesn’t represent Hope Clinic as a whole…
What does represent Hope Clinic though, that I talk about in my blog, is LOVE! And they will know we are Christians by our love! Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? Didn’t Jesus teach us to love our neighbors and even love our enemies? I don’t know when that got so twisted into loving those that agree with us and hating anyone else. I just don’t get it and I’m tired of seeing it.
In election years, in heated arguments about abortion or gay rights… Anger and hate is what I see most of the time. I understand being passionate about an issue and I support that completely… It’s when that passion turns to hate for anyone who opposes you that’s my problem.
I went to lunch with our CEO, Renee Rizzo, yesterday and we started talking about this. She brought Hope Clinic into the discussion as well. I left that lunch feeling so proud of where I work. I may not make millions and I may not love my job every single day, but I can hold my head up high when I say I work at Hope Clinic for Women because I truly believe that our mission is a great mission.
We sometimes don’t get the support from some very very pro life people and we don’t always get support from the very very pro choice people because we don’t engage in the politics of it all. Our concern is the woman, the baby, and her family. We leave the politics to others…
Politicians can make promises. Laws can even be changed. But no matter what the law… There is still a woman in crisis who needs a place to turn. Hope Clinic will always be needed and women will keep referring their friends here because they felt so comfortable here when they were in crisis. They never felt judged… they just feel loved.
Because Hope Clinic believes that Love>Hate and even that Love>Politics, I am proud to come to work every single day… On the good days and the bad.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Quotes from 2012 Hope Clinic for Women Clients
“Thank you for just listening, being caring & nonjudgmental. It was nice to have someone to be there for support.”
“I felt very accepted and not judged. It’s a very supportive atmosphere and I feel like things might be ok after all.”
“It was very peaceful and very well informed. They are all about being there and helping the woman who comes through their doors.”
Alison Cooke has been on staff at Hope Clinic for Women since April 2011. She is responsible for events, marketing, PR, websites and social media.