Abortion. It’s a socially and culturally dominant issue, especially in an election season. But abortion is more than just a cultural issue. It’s a personal one. Sue Liljenberg knows this quite well, having had an abortion herself. Sue has written an excellent column detailing her personal experience of redemption and healing. She says,
There should be no safer place for wounded persons than the church. Tragically, I’ve ministered to women who’ve sat silently in church for years, fearing someone would discover their “secret.” Fear of rejection and judgment can feel overwhelming. Most of these women look as if they have it all together, but underneath they’re suffering and in desperate need for truth and mercy—truth that leads to repentance and mercy that leads to healing.
You should read the rest. And we wanted you to know that, at Grace Hills, you’re not alone. When you walk through the doors of the movie theater where we meet and the music starts, you can know that there are women and men singing praises to God from redeemed and forgiven hearts who have experienced or supported an abortion in their past.
We can talk about it. Not publicly, of course, but in counsel, or in a small group. Or… you don’t have to talk about it if you’re not ready for that. Either way, we just want you to know that:
- You are loved, regardless of your past.
- We are ALL broken. We’ve all sinned.
- There is forgiveness found in Jesus for ALL of us.
- God knows. And he cares. And he adores you still!
- God never wastes a hurt. Your experience can matter in positive ways to others.
We’re bringing this up because we know it’s an issue you may have thought about. It might be keeping you out of church, or silently suffering in church. And since most of the conversation surrounding abortion is about the political side of things, we want you to know that we are deeply concerned with the redemption and healing of those who have carried guilt for far too long.
We can never promise anyone a perfect church, but we can promise that Grace Hills’ leadership is passionately committed to being a safe place for people to struggle through their very real hurts, habits, and hang-up’s.