I Will Help You (Is 41:13-14) by Lisa Skowron

11 Dec I Will Help You (Is 41:13-14) by Lisa Skowron

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you…” declares the Lord your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” ~ Is 41:13-14 (full readings)
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Lisa’s Reflections:  A few years ago, I was talking with a friend, and Bible study leader, about a post-abortion Bible study I had just completed. I shared my excitement with her about how God had restored my relationship with Him and how amazed I was at how closely, and personally, I felt He had walked with me during that process.  It was the hardest thing I had ever done.  And undoubtedly one of the most painful.  But as I processed the fear, anger, and grief when those memories gradually surfaced, the healing began.  God used the experiences and support of other women in the study, the power of His scripture, and personal prayer time to comfort me.  As He taught me and transformed my heart, it brought healing in places only He could have known I needed.  God’s love and peace overwhelmed me and I found freedom from the shame and sorrow I had carried for so many years.  It was a profound experience of His grace, and I finally understood the power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for me.  I was forgiven.  After I shared my experience with my friend, a very common thing happened.  I was shocked to hear that she, too, had an abortion.  Initially, she thought maybe she would look into this study too.  But, after some thought, she said, “No, God wouldn’t make me go back there.  I don’t believe He would ever hurt me like that.”  My heart sank.  If only she could know what it was like to be on the other side of that hurt.  I wanted that for her, but I knew I couldn’t give her the courage and strength to take that first step.  Only the Lord could.  I knew I couldn’t take on her pain and carry her through it.  Only the Lord could.  All I could do was pray for her, like I pray for other post-abortive women, to know how God can take their deepest hurt, heal it, and use it for good through these Bible studies and Rachel’s Vineyard retreats.  There is no condemnation in Christ.  He won’t abandon them or betray them like others may have done during, or after, their abortion.  The Lord will be by their side as He walks with them, leads them by the hand, and doesn’t let go.  That is His promise in today’s scripture reading.
* Lisa Skowron helps women in post-abortion recovery and is the San Antonio LIFE Runners chapter leader. She speaks out about the pain of her own abortion and the hope/healing she found through Christ. Lisa has four children and resides in San Antonio..

Faith Challenge:  Please pray with me that other post-abortive women can find the courage and strength to be vulnerable and take that first step toward healing from a past abortion.  Keep in mind the anger and denial you see on the sidewalk, or in reaching out to these women, is what protects them from the deep pain and shame underneath.  Show them God’s love, not condemnation.  That’s what will draw them to the Light.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Pope St. Damasus I
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Faith Quote:  “I am not a theologian or a scholar, but I am very aware of the fact that pain is necessary to all of us.  In my own life, I think I can honestly say that out of the deepest pain has come the strongest conviction of the presence of God and the love of God.” ~ Elizabeth Elliot 
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Through Christ our Lord,
Lisa Skowron