Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

“I must never judge anyone, but look at others with leniency and at myself with severity. I must refer everything to God and, in my own eyes, recognize myself for what I am: utter misery and nothingness. In suffering, I must be patient and quiet, knowing that everything passes in time.” (Diary 253)

Sorrow

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.

For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight."

For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Psalm 51 is one of my favorites. It reminds me that the thing I always need to bring to God is my sorrow and humility. A knowledge that I am human, and will be on a journey to Him my entire life. I will fall on my way, but the important thing is that I pick myself up and clean myself off in the sacraments, and get moving again.

I am not speaking about my abortion here, once it is forgiven in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it is forgiven but I need to bring my sorrow and humility over and over again, for all of my sins.

I need to remember that all good I do comes from Him, and belongs to Him. That my healing is a gift freely given, and I am called to show that same compassion to others. Who more than me needed mercy?

When I am judgmental or inpatient with others I need to keep "my sin always before me", and remember what the Lord has done for me and how compassionate He is. I need to remember I am called to show this same mercy to others that I have been shown, knowing we are all in need of God's mercy.

Many who are post abortive feel judged by both sides, it can be very difficult. Today, pray for those who you feel have judged you as an act of God’s mercy towards them.

“When someone learns to accuse oneself, one is merciful toward others: ‘Yes, but who am I to judge if I am capable of doing worse things?'” Pope Francis (Homily, Domus Sanctae Marthae, March2, 2015)