They said it would be easy…They said it was no big deal…They said it was my right… Across this country, millions upon millions of women have been fed these same lies. I was one of them. When I was seventeen, I found out that I was pregnant. I was scared, and felt all alone. What was I going to do? I walked through the front door of an abortion clinic certain that I was solving a problem. But, as time went by and the immediate sense of relief wore off, I realized I had a whole new set of problems…Guilt, shame, anxiety, emptiness, depression, emotional “numbing”, alcohol abuse, promiscuous behavior, inability to form intimate relationships, inability to trust, avoidance behavior,…the list goes on.

For years, I suffered in silence. The pain of the past was threatening to choke the life out of me. Eeking out a miserable existence, I found myself at the bottom of the barrel. “Is this how you want to live the rest of your life?” “Look at what you are doing to yourself!” I had a rebellious and resentful heart, and I needed help!

With eyes wide open, I was ready to look at the past and accept the role I played in my decision to terminate my pregnancy. The pieces came together, and for the first time I was able to see the damage my “choice” had done. Working through denial, anger, bitterness, extending forgiveness, and accepting the choice I made brought wholeness to my broken heart.

One morning, as I was working through the steps to healing and wholeness, I experienced God’s grace like never before. Weeping and pouring my heart to Him, I was overcome. As I sunk to the floor, I felt the burden lift and with hands raised I cried out, “FREEDOM... FREEDOM… FREEDOM!” “Oh, God thank you for forgiving me and setting me free.” For the first time in my life I felt free. For the first time in my life I felt truly loved. For the first time in my life I felt clean!

Freedom didn’t come easily, but ask me if it was worth it and I’ll tell you – Absolutely! I finally understood what Paul meant when he wrote in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free.” Mourning turned into laughter, tears of sorrow turned into tears of joy. No longer did I fear the past; no longer did I fear the future. God’s love poured over my heart, and I was captured by His amazing and abounding grace. The journey to wholeness is long and ardent, but it’s time for our voices to be heard…Silent no more!

The pain of abortion is REAL! Are you hurting? Are you suffering in silence? Do you feel as if you are all alone? You are not alone. There is hope. Healing is available to you. Are you ready to find forgiveness and healing? Are you ready to take an honest look at the past? Are you ready to experience God’s abounding grace?

If you live in the Auburn/Opelika, Alabama area, the Recovery Support Group and Study offered through Women’s Hope Medical Clinic will be starting soon. Everything is confidential. Please contact me today. jami@abounding-grace.com

For more information, and to find a support group near you, please visit www.afterabortion.org.