The last time I wrote on this blog, I wrote about my personal abortion story and my path to healing. As I continue to share on the blog, I would like to expound on what I am learning through my experience and my study of Hannah. Before I go too deep into this though, I would like to take a moment and specifically talk to those of you that have experienced an abortion personally or know someone who has had one. I think that it is important to talk about the issue and how it affects us personally. It is important that we pray for the ending of abortion by praying for hearts and laws to change, but lest we not forget those who have already had an abortion and are hurting. If abortion were to end today, we would still have millions of mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, brothers, sisters, and other family members that are without a special person in their life due to the tragedy of abortion. This causes real pain. If you are trapped in this web in any way or know someone who is, please continue reading.

As we know, the enemy has come to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus has come to bring LIFE (John 10:10). When Satan convinces us to allow him to steal our children and partner with him in killing them, he loves to hold us in silence. This is one of his great schemes surrounding abortion. It seems that many women have a veil over their eyes keeping them from seeing clearly leading up to an abortion, but when the abortion is over, the shame and guilt quickly floods in. Then, in many cases, it never leaves. As you know, it is this way with most sin. Before hand, we convince ourselves that everything is fine. We push away the conviction of the Holy Spirit because of fear or carnal desire. It is usually not until the act is over that we feel the shame and regret. We have all experienced this in some way even if you have not had an abortion. Because of this, we all know the power of confession and getting things in light. Light brings freedom! Nevertheless, the weight of the shame and guilt that comes on a person after killing their own child can be overwhelming, especially when kept in the dark. I spent two years of my life keeping my abortion in the dark, and it ate away at me. I was terribly fearful of telling anyone, but when I finally did, I was delivered. My life was radically changed! Throughout the past few years while counseling and sharing my story, I have met hundreds of women that were silent and in pain for 20 to 30 years. If you have had abortion, I appeal to you to get it in the light if you have not already. Please do not let the enemy have this hold on you. If you have confessed your sin of abortion and talked with someone, I encourage you to continue to talk through it and share your story. Let’s believe the Lord for abundant life! If you know someone that has had an abortion, please pray for them and be available as a listening ear.

As you read my story in my previous blog, I talked about Hannah as my daughter. This may seem strange to many people that I would address her as my daughter. It is important for me to not forget her. She will always be a part of my family and me. As I prayed through my experience, I realized that I opened a door for the spirit of rejection in my life. Even though I was sharing my story and seemed to be healed, I was still rejecting Hannah as my daughter. I realized that there was still a part of me that did not believe she was really a person. It was easier for me to receive forgiveness and just move on. Deep healing did not come until I recognized and acknowledged that I was and am a mother. This process of accepting our aborted children may look different for each one of us. In my case, I did several things. The first thing that I did was to have a memorial for Hannah at the National Memorial for the Unborn in Chattanooga, TN. At the memorial, they have a wall with plaques recognizing aborted children. Hannah has had a plaque there for several years. I had the memorial service right in front of the wall near her plaque. Many of my close friends came to join me as we celebrated her life. After the memorial, I was given a certificate of Life for her. I have signed the certificate and my future husband looks forward to signing it as well. The entire memorial was video taped so that I can show my children in the future. Again, this process may look different for you, but I want to encourage you and speak the truth over you that you are not crazy to need to do something like this. In my life, it closed the door to rejection. As I accepted my daughter into my family the way the Lord led me to, it closed a door of darkness in my life that was influencing other areas of my life.

Lastly, I would like to suggest a post-abortion Bible study for you to go through or give to someone else. I have read several books on post-abortion and healing. The “Forgiven and Set Free” post-abortion Bible study by Linda Cochrane is one of the best that I have found so far. It is great to do alone and even better to do with a group. Many local pregnancy resource centers provide group Bible studies to get involved in. I have been through this study myself as well as taught it to others. It is great! You can find it in most Christian bookstores or online. This study will help women overcome guilt, shame, unforgiveness, and many other emotions that accompany an abortion.

I hope these suggestions and pieces of truth help you. Remember that these are only suggestions and ways that I have found healing in my own life. I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord how He would lead you or the person you know down their path to healing.

Lord we ask you to come and heal, delivers, and set free! Abba we thank you that you are merciful and kind. Come display your kindness. We ask you to extend grace to confess sins still hidden in darkness. Come do a deep work in our hearts and lives.