Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

Since my conversion, a painfully quiet, shy person has turned into someone who has plenty to say because my trust is in the Lord and not myself.  He took the worst sin of my life, and brought good out of it. He showed me through my horrific sin of abortion, the immense love and mercy He has, for not only me, but for all sinners. What a gift for someone who deserves nothing but condemnation!

It is because of this experience of this limitless mercy shown to me in the face of such a terrible sin that I was able to repent. To look at it before then would have been impossible. It was just too horrific. I did not repent before His Mercy, I repented BECAUSE of His mercy.

So, it is always with deep sorrow when I read posts condemning those who have had abortions. It seems as though at times they are afraid we will not suffer enough.

In over 20 years of post abortion work, I have met very few women who aborted without pressure from one source or another, sometimes without them even recognizing it. Of course, that does not make it right, nor does it take away their responsibility in it, abortion is never ok, but it does help them to understand what happened and to heal.

Condemning them only reinforces what they are already feeling about themselves…unforgivable! It can be the catalyst to complete despair, loss of hope.

Just because someone is not public with their suffering does not mean it is not there. I know many women who cry themselves to sleep every night while other people think they are "ok" with their abortions. In fact, most times women do not share their pain, guilt and shame, but instead suffer in silence.

Denial is a mechanism to protect against trauma. Condemnation does not bring about a break in the denial but a stronger need to reinforce it. The pain of having to face the fact that you bought into the lies and killed your own child can be unbearable without the love and mercy of God. 

Our God of Mercy is there waiting for those who have had abortion just as He is waiting for everyone. He longs to bring them to His love so they can then have the courage to look. He will lead them to His heart and heal their brokenness. It is only through this love that they will face the truth, reconcile with Him, themselves and yes, their unborn babies, who are with Him in heaven. One day they will be reunited in His love.

Yes, it may be hard to believe life can be joyful again after abortion, but it is true. We have a  God of love and mercy who desires our healing no matter how horrific our sin. I for one am happy to know what a sinner I am, it is in this truth I know the immensity of that mercy and the magnitude of what He has done for me.