Donna Clifton shares her story about an unexpected pregnancy followed by an abortion. Donna’s story is like many others. Secret shame, deep depression, infertility, cutting in order to try and ease her pain, and despair of life. Donna talks about suffering in silence and the feelings she experienced as she sat in church week after week believing God would never forgive her. Thankfully, Donna experienced God’s love and forgiveness and is telling her story! She is helping women know how to deal with shame, guilt, fear, and regret. When Donna and I sat down and prerecorded the shows, we had no idea the decision (in New York) that was right around the corner or the onslaught of debates to follow. We simply had a conversation about the grace of God and the truth of His Word.
I have watched the abortion discussions go back and forth. Sometimes gracious and sometimes not. At one point this week I was asked,“What do you think about abortion?” “Where do you stand on the issue?” I immediately wondered, “Is there any kind of hurt behind the question?” You see, everyone has a story. Sometimes people want to know what you believe about a particular topic because they are curious, but sometimes they are looking for help and not sure where to find it. I answered the question honestly. “I believe in life because God is the creator of life. I believe life is a gift and begins at conception. God’s Word is clear that we are called to value life and protect it.”
Our conversation progressed as we hashed out all the details on the topic. I then looked at my friend and said, “Do you want to know the question I really wish people would ask? She said, “sure.” I said I wish people would ask, “What do you believe about Jesus?” Because Jesus is everything in these conversations. For the woman who has had an abortion, Jesus is forgiveness and love and peace. For the woman facing an unknown pregnancy and not sure what to do, Jesus is direction and hope and provision. For the couple desperately wanting a child and not able to conceive, Jesus is more than able to provide. For the parent who has lost a child and can’t imagine not choosing life, Jesus is comfort in the midst of the devastating grief. For the adopted child who could have been aborted, Jesus is the sustainer of life. For the biological mom who placed her child up for adoption, Jesus is the reassurance that she made the right decision. AND for the unborn child who was aborted, Jesus has been and always will be the author of their life.
Jesus is everything to me and to us. At the end of the day, our fight is not against each other. Our fight is against the evil one and his evil ways. Oh that we would turn to Jesus and find Him to be our everything! As many women listen to Donna share her story, it is my prayer that Jesus will shine through. Jesus said, “the thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) May this podcast be a powerful reminder of God’s incredible love, grace, and redemption.
