Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

I usually try to stay away from this stuff, but I found the comments on Facebook regarding the following article so disturbing I had to address them.

All I can think about are the women and men who have not come forward for healing from an abortion reading the same comments and running in the opposite direction.  So many are feeling and thinking, "I have committed the unforgivable sin."

The article, "Woman's Post-Abortion Infection Was So Severe She had to Have both Hands and Feet Amputated," was posted on Lifenews.com on November 4th.  Kristi Burton Brown writes about a French woman, Priscilla Dray, who lost both her hands and feet due to an infection she received from an abortion.

Already a mom, the article states that Priscilla and her husband had three children and thought they did not need another, so, when she got pregnant with a fourth, they made the decision to abort. I would like to pause here for a moment and clearly state that while the statement is understandable, we know nothing about the circumstances surrounding their decision, so, while never condoning abortion, to somehow attempt to simplify the reasons behind their decision without knowing them seems presumptuous.

Abortion is always wrong and no one is condoning the choice to kill an unborn baby, however, we need to recognize there is more than one way to kill someone. We can physically kill a body, (always wrong), but we can also kill a soul, (also always wrong) by sending it into despair and making the hope of reconciliation seem impossible, leaving those separated from God feeling they never can return thereby validating their belief that abortion is unforgivable.

Both of these "deaths" are displeasing in God's eyes. In fact, the later may be even worse, for while the innocent unborn are in His care, those who are spiritually dead may never open themselves to God's mercy if they read comments like the ones I saw on this article this morning.

"Terrible, but at least she got to feel a little of what her baby felt when it was torn limb by limb from the protection of its mother’s womb, sore lesson for this girl, God help her."

"Serves her right. Now she knows the feeling being botch into pieces."

"Now she knows how it feels, and karma, if they already had three but didn't want their fourth , they should of used protect, or had her tubes tied or hi a vasectomy, I feel nothing for her, besides she got what she deserves, it was nothing to her when her baby was being torn apart.. She will have to answer for her actions one day.”

"I hate to even say this as a Christian but you reap what you sow If she had had more compassion for her unborn child she would never be where she is now. She is missing her limbs because of her own selfish choices and I can't help it but I do not feel sorry for her one bit."

I could go on, but you get the picture.

There is no doubt abortion is ALWAYS wrong, and we certainly can judge abortion, but the tragic absence of compassion and the judgment on this woman is amazing. As Jesus said, those of you who have no sin throw the first stone, and, you will receive the mercy you have shown.

Although most comments were merciless, in fairness there were some good comments too.

"Please remember that the Bible tells us that we will be judged with the same measure we use to judge people. It's very, very, sad that this baby and countless others were lost to abortion. However being ugly and saying hateful things does not help save lives. This woman's life is incredibly precious to God, and so should be precious to us."

"Some of you people have made downright evil comments and let me tell you God doesn't like ugly. I am pro-life. Abortion is murder and I am totally against them. All that aside, sin is sin and she should not be judged based on your interpretation of sin. God is full of mercy and grace!"

I am post abortive. I will be the first to admit how wrong, and what a horrific sin abortion is.  In fact, I would say those of you who have not aborted do not know as well as I do.  I would also say, that I deserve damnation for it. To those of you who would judge us so fiercely, don't worry, we live with the consequence of our horrific sin every day of our lives, and nothing you can say would be worse than what we have told ourselves.  But, in some ways, once we are healed, we are more blessed than you are. Why? Because we know we are terrible sinners in need of God's mercy.

Not everyone who has been involved in abortion has the same culpability. No one knows what was going on in someone’s life. Many women are coerced, and many did not know the entire truth of abortion. These things never make it right, but that is why ONLY GOD can judge someone who has participated in abortion or, for that matter, any sin. We can judge the sin, but it is God's role to judge the sinner.

And that is the beauty of redemption. That when we were lost and separated from Him through our sinfulness, He came to earth in order to open the doors of heaven to us through His suffering, death and resurrection. He died on the cross for our sins, even the sin of abortion. Imagine the experience of His love and mercy for those who have shown contrition for so great a sin and are forgiven because of His love for us and His desire for our salvation. Imagine the gratitude we would have for Him, and the desire to serve Him in this life and the next because of the mercy He has shown us.

So, before you judge, and slam the door in the face of those who have participated in this terrible sin of abortion, think of what you will say to God when he shows you those who gave up hope and despaired because of your comments. Maybe even those who were led to further sin or even suicide because of your comments.

To those post abortive I say, keep your eyes on Christ. No, we do not deserve forgiveness, healing, and mercy, but that is the wonderful thing; that in spite of our sins, He loves us. Our healing comes from what He did, not what we did or can do to "make up" for our abortion. We can never make up for it, which makes it all the more amazing.

This truth then calls us to be more and more compassionate to other sinners; even those who would wish for our eternal damnation.

Jesus, we trust in you!