Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

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“Abortion: Moving From Debate to Ministry" part 3

Jody sat at her desk stunned. A local businessman handed everyone in her parenting class a twenty dollar bill. “This is a gift from our church to your future child. Our phone number is on each bill so call if we can help.” This was the second time a stranger offered her a gesture of God’s love. Jody had already attempted suicide after discovering she was pregnant. Now she was contemplating abortion. Judy Trimmer, from a local church group had urged her to pray for God’s will. Was this it? Quietly, Jody bowed her head and prayed for courage. After a moment, she felt a sense of peace and comfort.

Later that week, the pastor met with the prayer group and began the prayer session with a startling announcement. “I visited Jody along with her parents and witnessed a miracle. Jody’s parents decided to care for the baby if Jody would remain in school and keep up her grades. Also, our church gave a full scholarship for her child to attend our early learning center. So, Jody decided to keep her baby.”

For a moment the group sat in stunned disbelief that their prayers were answered so completely. Then the room erupted with shouts of, “Praise the Lord! Great news!”

After a moment the pastor quieted the group and said, “Last week at this time, we heard of Jody’s attempted suicide. Your reaction was not to look for ways to judge Jody or our society or even today’s teenagers. We faithfully prayed for a miracle from God and our prayers were answered.”

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His paused for a moment and continued: “Before we pray, there is another story you need to hear.”

“I was pastor of a church while attending seminary and met with another teenager much like Jody who was pregnant, afraid of the consequences and contemplating an abortion. I tried my best to talk her out of it but she would hear nothing of it. Finally she said to me something I will never forget: ‘Pastor, will you drive me to the abortion clinic? I have no one to go with me?’”

“I didn’t know what to do…” the pastor continued. “I feel so strongly that abortion is wrong but we are also called to be in ministry to anyone in need. Later, I shared this dilemma with my fellow students at seminary and the sparks flew as they argued back and forth over the best course of action for me to take. However they all agreed that I should face the issue head on and take a strong “pro-life” stand.”

“After the lively discussion, a hush fell over the room as the class sat in anticipation of what I finally decided to do.” The pastor paused and reached for a tissue to dab his eyes. “I took that girl to the clinic the next day. Many of the students gasped! Some began chatting among themselves, choosing to ignore me and my heathen ways. Most of them didn’t even hear me when I tried to tell them, why.”

After a moment, one of the prayer members asked: “Why did you do it, pastor?”

“God wanted me to drive her to the clinic because it would be my last chance to talk her out of it. She had the abortion while I was in the waiting room ready give her a ride home.”

“I’m sharing this story with you because abortion is not just a debate to be won but a world-wide tragedy crying out for God’s grace and the church’s ministry. Our tendency is to argue with and then condemn those who choose to disagree. Instead, we should all be on our knees begging God to forgive us for not setting a better example of how to live a Godly life, free from sexual promiscuity.”

“After David was exposed for committing adultery and murder, he wrote, Psalm 51 to offer his confession and beg God’s forgiveness. “Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to sinners and they will return to you.’ (9-13) We must share the guilt and the responsibility to be in ministry for everyone involved.”

The pastor then bowed his head to lead the prayer: “Precious Lord, thank you for the miracle we witnessed today and help us continue to put our faith and trust in your grace and patient guidance…”

After reading this story you may want to share your own thoughts and concerns. You may want us to pray for you. Please click here: sowseeds@nesbeonline.com

See the "most read" page on our web site by clicking here: "Abortion: A Personal Story"

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Last modified March 13, 2002.

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