Posted with permission from Audrey*
I had the honor of leading a Forgiven and Set Free abortion healing class recently. From the first week, Audrey showed up on time with her homework completed, ready to connect and engage with the other women in the group. She described herself as mid-way through her healing journey and was articulate and open about her self-awareness and feelings. It was clear that she already understood the stages of grief and the steps necessary to move forward in biblically-based healing.
Audrey’s story was one of becoming pregnant and choosing abortion twice with the same abusive man. Through her healing journey, she realized how normalized abortion had been around her. She used staying busy to press down the emotions and to cope. For years, she dealt with anxiety, shame, grief, and sadness, and she struggled to accept forgiveness from God.
She shared that letting go of anger and resentment of others and of herself was one of the hardest parts of the class for her. She went on to make deep connections during our group study of forgiveness, and she was the first to push herself to forgive all of those directly or indirectly involved with her abortions. Her progression through the class was inspiring to the other participants, and her vulnerability helped others feel more comfortable.
Audrey has a beautiful smile that lights up her face and makes her eyes sparkle, but we didn’t see much of her smile in the early weeks of class. It was priceless to see her facial expressions become lighter as the study progressed. By the last two weeks of our time together, her face was radiant with that smile, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and heart.
We asked Audrey how she’s feeling now after completing Forgiven and Set Free, and she describes herself as healed, joyful, and feeling that her confidence in her faith has increased. “I can see a way forward, and I feel a sense of peace now.”
It is truly an honor to walk alongside women as they partner with Jesus to receive His free gift of forgiveness.
*Name has been changed for confidentiality