When a Choice Becomes a Regret
December 3, 2009 by Standing on Truth
Filed under Culture
I’m finishing up a Karen Kingbury book right now about a fictional high-school couple who, when faced with an unexpected pregnancy, chose abortion. It has really caused me to think about some things. As a pro-life advocate, and as someone who has peacefully protested abortion in various ways since I was a young girl, I think often of the pro-life/pro-choice debate from a political standpoint. As a financial contributor to crisis pregnancy centers, I think often of the good that these centers are doing and want to do everything I can to support those ministries. But as someone who has never faced a pregnancy that I didn’t want, I confess that I too rarely think of the women after their abortion and how they may be suffering and what I can be doing to support them, as a sister in Christ or as one who knows about a “peace that passes all understanding” in Jesus. Kingsbury’s book has helped me to ponder this.
As a culture, we are engaged in a battle for life. . .for the sanctity of life. And there is nothing that will deter me from standing up for those babies and putting my voice to use for them. I will never waiver in my belief that this is not a matter of a woman’s right to her body, but a baby’s right to life. But in addition to this passion of mine, I wonder if the women out there who have had abortions, and are now suffering regret, guilt, and pain as a result, know without a doubt that pro-lifers are also there to comfort and not to condemn. Speaking for myself, I understand that many abortions take place on young, naive, scared girls–ones who may have been deceived about what exactly was growing inside of their womb. Are we getting our message out to these women–the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness, rather than judgment and condemnation? Are they suffering in silence, missing their child, drowning in guilt?
Today my heart goes out to those young girls or older women who have experienced abortion and are now living in regret. There are post-abortion healing ministries that operate for the very purpose of directing hope and healing to those women. I will pray today that any one that needs that comfort and love will find it through a local crisis pregnancy center, and if you are not yet ready for that step, allow me to share with you something you may not hear everyday, and I’m sure the Enemy tries to deny:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering” (Romans 8:1-3).
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
I pray that every time I fight for that unborn baby’s voice to be heard, I also remember the woman who may have made a regretful choice, and now needs to feel love, from Jesus and others, more than anything.
