As a teenager
her life was reckless and her heart rebellious.
One wrong
decision gave birth to more wrong decisions and eventually she became a
statistic. She was pregnant, not married and still in High school. And
then she became another statistic when she saw no other way out and had an
abortion. This was nothing she planned or wanted for her life. But
she saw no other way.
The shame she
carried was like an over stuffed suitcase, carrying it everywhere she went
wondering if others could see it too.
Her life took
a turn in the right direction when she met a man who was like none of the
others in her past. She told him her secret and instead of turning away
from her he turned toward her and loved her. It was a love she had never
experienced before, a love that was full of mercy and grace. His love for
her was healing and together they learned the important gift of God's forgiveness.
They married
and had 3 children. Even though she knew she was forgiven for aborting
her baby, the pain remained and she rarely spoke of her past.
Years later
when her children were grown an opportunity arose to help young women at a
local crisis pregnancy center. Her intentions were to only volunteer at
the Center to help keep shelves stocked and to do the jobs no one see's.
She had become very good at doing little things that matter greatly but
no one ever saw. Thankfully, the Lord had other plans for her. Eventually
she told her director about her past and offered herself to help young women
considering abortion. This was a huge step for her.
Over the span
of a few weeks as she worked through a Bible study in preparation to lead
others through it she came to find complete healing and freedom from
her past. This freedom she experienced produced a joy in her heart that she could
not describe. This joy brought healing from her past. This joy represented the
forgiveness she lived in and the grace that covered her.
As she came
to the end of the study she was to name the baby she had aborted. She knew
exactly what name to choose.
She named her
Joy.
How fitting to name this baby in such a beautiful way as if to say,
"Through my sorrow, you have brought me joy".
Joy would
have been my big sister. How appropriate is it that as my own mother is
walking this spiritual journey with the Lord, I am walking through my own and
we are both, though walking separate paths, walking in joy.
Though our
paths are different what is the same is the joy of the Lord that comes after
the mourning, suffering and trials. Sometimes it comes while still in the
midst of the trials, like I have experienced. But joy is there for us!
His joy.
This joy that
brings healing, protection, causes our heart to sing and our soul to worship.
This joy is ours!
I pray as you
walk the path the Lord has laid out for you, whether it is one of difficulty,
heartache or ease you will choose his joy to carry you through.
If abortion
is part of your past and you still struggle with healing from it, please seek
help. There are many ministries available to counsel and encourage women
who once chose abortion. Many towns have Crisis Pregnancy Centers who offer
counseling and most churches have resources to share.
Below are a
few ministries who offer help to women.
