Today's Scripture

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness;     his mercies begin afresh each morning. - (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT)

Thoughts for Today

So where was Jesus on that worst of all possible days? 

Even though we did not listen, Jesus did not forsake us on that day we had an abortion any more than now. Moment by moment he has been working to redeem every aspect of that day for our good. The Bible says even when we inflict harm intentionally, God intends it for good (see Genesis 50:20). This glimpse of his character plants a seed of hope that all is not lost and we may yet see some good come from our wrongs or from suffering a wrong.

Even when we make the wrong choice, God's faithfulness remains. The Bible promises this: "If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (2 Timothy 2:13 NIV).

Kim says, "Later in the day of my abortion, I lay there lost and alone in the darkness trying to hold my own hand. But Jesus was there, putting me in a posture to pray. He knew that before I could walk into freedom, I needed to spend time on my knees.  I had so little faith, and it would take many more years before my prayers became real, but Jesus was—and is—faithful."

Consider this … 

Maybe you're feeling stuck in the darkness with an unsettled heart, wringing your hands over your abortion. It's time to look up. It is a short journey from hand-wringing to hands folded in prayer. From getting on your knees to standing and taking a step.

Let the love of Christ help you now find faith to move from one into the other. Remember that faith in religion and attendance at church cannot heal our wounded spirits. That doesn't mean you should give up on God or stop going to church. It means you should go, believing in God's power to make you whole.

Allow the people of God and those who have your spiritual well-being in mind to become part of God's promise for your healing. Start by showing up to receive God's grace in the company of others who share your faith. 

Above all, keep your eyes on Jesus. On his love. On his forgiveness. On his healing power. He is reaching out to you with open arms. Run to him.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your love. Thank you for your forgiveness. I can't do this alone . . . I need Jesus. In his name . . . 

These thoughts were drawn from …

Cradle My Heart: Finding God's LOVE After Abortion by Kim Ketola. In this book, Kim seeks to help those hurt by abortion to grieve with hope. Sharing her story and the stories of ten other women, she reveals that God's love is not a casualty of the abortive process. With an appendix of helpful resources and a study and discussion guide included, Cradle My Heart is a timely and important resource for the hurting woman, the counselor, and the church.

With an understanding and empathetic voice, Kim Ketola exposes the hurt in your heart, reveals the healing in God's heart, and brings the two together to create a whole heart where restoration and celebration are possible.