President’s Message: A Legacy or a Legend

Like many newspaper readers, I first scan the headlines to see whether I want to stop to read any further. This headline grabbed my attention: “Are you leaving behind a legacy or a legend?” It was the heading to a column by Pastor Mark Christian in the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun.

In his column Pastor Christian pointed out the minor but important differences between the two words. Legacy meaning “something that is ‘handed down or remains from a previous generation or time’ and a legend is something that is ‘passed down for generations, especially one that is presented as history but is unlikely to be true.’”

He continues explaining the difference as the legacy inspiring the best in us to accomplish things in our lives and the legend as fantasy and bedtime stories for children.

As I travel around the state meeting prolifers at our affiliate dinners and at our regional meetings, I know that they are building a legacy to leave for future generations. They are devoting their time to educating on the value and sanctity of human life; thus leaving an example for their children and grandchildren to emulate. They often are doing the educating through simple acts: writing letters to the editor, working a shift at a fair booth, wearing the “little feet pin” to start a conversation about the humanity of the unborn child. Others are involved by contacting their local and state officials about prolife legislation and proposals.

Some have chosen to help through local pregnancy care centers aiding women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy or consoling post-abortive woman. Others have been called to witness and counsel outside of facilities that promote or provide abortions.

There are many faces within the prolife movement and many tasks to be accomplished. For all involved, a legacy will be handed down of true accomplishments and actual lives saved.

The legend is that abortion advances women and frees society from social burdens. The legacy of legalized abortion is devastation and disaster for woman, families and society. We know that through our work in Michigan, abortions have been reduced by over 48% since 1988; that means tens of thousands of lives have been saved from abortion. Those lives are a legacy. It has been our privilege to participate in building a legacy of promoting a culture of life in Michigan.

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