America has abortion on the mind lately thanks to Alabama’s historic “heartbeat” bill. Public figures like actress Alyssa Milano have been slinging around the typical insults and hysterics, even calling for a “sex strike”.

There is no lack of vitriol and tension flying around social media regarding the issue these days, but one particular exchange became notable when it started out as resentful and ended with an education in grace.

An artist who calls herself TuttleSinger asked a question that probably seemed liked a completely brilliant and original challenge at the time she wrote it, but is actually a very tired and stale argument that any pro-lifer has has heard countless times.

Dear Pro-Life friends: what have you *personally* done to support lower income single mothers?

I’ll wait:

— (((TuttleSinger))) سارا تاتل سينجر שרה טאטל-סינגר (@TuttleSinger) May 15, 2019

She didn’t have to wait for long. The responses came pouring in almost immediately and they were both inspiring and a little bit amusing considering Tuttlesinger’s confidence that not one single person would actually have an answer to her question.

I teach many of their kids on a daily basis and often have to come to the kids’ defense when no one else in society will.

— Joe Cunningham (@JoePCunningham) May 16, 2019

https://twitter.com/KristinaRibali/status/1128989715410149376?s=20

https://twitter.com/theolchrisser/status/1128971599397490689?s=20

tutoring 2 of them to pass their advanced math test so they could graduate, then babysitting the 2 kids while they were on an 8 hour exam required for graduation
i mean, i just popped a few disney movies and provided snacks, but still i think i helped

— fake acc i opened (@publicidadenlin) May 16, 2019

Last year alone, we raised a quarter million dollars to support families and centers who take in moms and their babies. We get them prenatal and postnatal care, help them get started on education, jobs, whatever they need.

— Emily Zanotti (@emzanotti) May 16, 2019

Thrown several baby showers for low-income moms/families in the area… Opened my home to one of them… Dropped what I was doing several times to give rides to a mom and newborn to doctor's appointments… Provided friendship, mentorship, and support along the way. 💖

— Aimee at home (w/fire in bone) (@RehumanizeAimee) May 15, 2019

Google The Nurturing Network, Birthright, and Project Gabriel. Pro life women & men (including myself) have supported/volunteered here for decades. Also all manner of help through Catholic Charities. Get out of the liberal bubble.

— Kathleen McKinley (@KatMcKinley) May 15, 2019

My wife and I have…

Adopted a child.

Volunteered for a women's care center.

Donated financially.

Befriended a single mother.

— Drew Hunter (@DrewFHunter) May 16, 2019

At a large community for single mother’s and children occupied by several large family homes with about 5 rooms in each (funded by the city & philanthropic organizations), my mother and I go babysit groups of children to give the Mother’s days off (spa day, dinner, shopping) etc

— 𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝐸𝑙𝑦𝑠𝑒🍯 (@missselyse) May 16, 2019

I am a low income single mother. I work my butt off every day. I raised my sons successfully. One is an apprentice and the other is going to college. I couldn’t be more proud of them. And yes-I would do it all again

— EggsBenedict (@AngelaL72157124) May 16, 2019

Foster parent.
Respite care.
Volunteer and financial support to local crisis pregnancy center.
Getting licensed for foster care again.

— Dave Moser (@dave_p_moser) May 16, 2019

Volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center to speak with guys who came in with partner.

With my wife and church family, provided ongoing emotional and financial support to a single mom who chose adoption for her baby.

— Adam Mitchell (@JA_Mitch) May 16, 2019

Adopted four from US foster system – one special needs. Help other foster families and struggling single moms have basic needs met through ministry at church (car needs, furniture, clothing, food, utilities, etc)

— John Mark Yeats (@jmyeats) May 16, 2019

We fostered two kids until their awesome mom could get her life back together (which she did and now provides and cares exceptionally for her kids). We also fostered a few other kids and eventually adopted two amazing boys.

— Dan (@dbaughman) May 16, 2019

I babysit for free for folks in my neighborhood who can’t afford it – If mamas can be assured their babies are being well cared for (and it’s not costing them) they can run errands or go to interviews or get a quiet moment to take care of their mental health

— Sydney Monét (@BlackSwanDiary) May 16, 2019

I *WAS* that mother. Thanks to a group of prolife men and women I was given resources, diapers, counseling, childcare, and even tutoring to help me out and through a difficult situation.

I will always be grateful to the prolife movement- for what they did for me AND my daughter.

— (((Book))) (@Book_56) May 16, 2019

My husband works for @ProvNetwork. They provide low-income transitional housing. One of their homes is dedicated to mothers leaving domestic violence, longer term affordable housing is available too. Services include counseling, job training, etc.

— Alexandra Kuykendall (@alex_kuykendall) May 16, 2019

Married her, adopted her child and had another child together, she finished her degree and acquired a job making six figures……

— Mike (@BadKarma5555) May 16, 2019

Adopted two children and support Mary’s Home, a local home created by our church @NewLifeColorado for single homeless mothers in our city of Colorado Springs.

— Kristin Lobotzke (@khazenlobo) May 16, 2019

These are just a few examples. Thousands and thousands of responses poured in. It was inspiring to see all the different ways people have contributed to the health and success of single mothers and their offspring. Some provided babysitting, others donated or volunteered in pregnancy centers. Some adopt or fosters. Others give money. Some throw baby showers and provide moral support. Some have offered help to their friends or relatives while they get on their feet. The entire exchange was an incredible example of how generous and supportive Americans truly are toward one another. People like Tuttlesinger think the entirety of American charity resides in a hashtag, but the truth is most people who are supporting their communities aren’t bragging about it on social media. They’re just…doing.

The tweeter in question didn’t (or couldn’t) respond with more rage. Instead she admitted that she had not known so many people were out there doing so much good work to back up their beliefs.

I am delighted to see that there are good people out there supporting struggling single moms:) wish our government did more, too! https://t.co/Hx3RfBMwnd

— (((TuttleSinger))) سارا تاتل سينجر שרה טאטל-סינגר (@TuttleSinger) May 15, 2019

But naturally she couldn’t just let the lesson lie. It’s not enough for you to do something personally. Why don’t you advocate for the government to do more?

It’s wonderful to see so many pro life people personally doing things to help struggling single moms – but what about the government? And what about better sex education and easier access to contraception?

— (((TuttleSinger))) سارا تاتل سينجر שרה טאטל-סינגר (@TuttleSinger) May 16, 2019

When it comes to issues like abortion and specifically the argument that prolifers only care about a baby while it’s in the womb, it isn’t unusual to see a bit of projection going on. Progressives typically view the government as their “charity” but really what they’re doing is passing off their responsibility to someone else. They can “give” their money (and everyone else’s) to provide services to those in need, but they don’t have to give their time, energy or risk their own personal comfort. They don’t want to, and thus they assume no one else wants to either.

God bless you, America. You guys are pretty cool.