Hard Topics

Our church started a new series called, “Elephant in the Room”.  Last week the teaching was on divorce.  This week it was on abortion.  Our pastor had said that abortion affects everyone that was in that room, directly, indirectly, man or woman.  The surprising this is he was right.  You could sense everyone agreeing with him, even the grumpy men sitting in the corner. 

I know it has affected me as I went through this when I was a senior in high school.  I wanted to keep it, but my then boyfriend’s parents had other plans.  It all happened so fast that it was all over before I realized it.  The sad thing was my boyfriend at that time, had NO idea it happened, until he came to see me that night.  Our pastor talked about asking for forgiveness for the procedure, however, ALSO giving forgiveness to the ones who gave you no choice.  That was a V8 slap.  I didn’t think I had harbored any bitterness toward his parents, especially since it was so long ago, but in reality, after I thought about it, I did.  I could not think of them without a tinge a bitterness in my heart.  Because it did break my heart to have this done.  It did make me feel ashamed and unworthy. 

I’ll never forget their words to my parents, “I know we are Catholics and all, but this has to be done.”  They talked to my parents, I was at the clinic, his parents paid for it and it was done.  Funny how I don’t remember my parents words, but I can instantly recall his parents words.

Our pastor talked about this subject last year and it was a great relief to know I was forgiven.  But this year, he tweaked my heart even more to give foregiveness.  I had no idea I had that stored up in my soul.

So for those of you who have been affected by abortion, please, know God forgives and to search your heart to see if forgiveness needs to be given by you.  I know I feel so much better releasing what has been stored up in my heart for 32 years.