Webster’s Dictionary defines ‘regret’ as:

to feel sorrow or remorse for; to think of with a sense of loss; feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss

Many women who’ve made a decision in their past for abortion agree with Webster’s Dictionary.  A decision made, a consequence created.  Even as the years go by, the pain and regret remains.  Some of you reading this have never chosen abortion in your life.  Perhaps you are wondering why or even how a woman could possibly think this as an option worthy of being considered.  Next month I turn 52 and I’ve met many women in several situations over the past decades.  For those that had chosen abortion- none of them had the same reason.  What they each had in common was how painful their decision was.  Fear, health, loss of relationship, timing, education… so many, many reasons.  For many, they didn’t realize the intensity of the decision.  Part of their thinking was, if the government made it legal and insurance companies often covered the expenses of abortion, then how could it be wrong?

Ask those same women today and many of them would tell you they were deceived into the lie of a ‘quick fix’ to a big problem.  The pain is immense and the loss is tragic.  Often included in their post abortion emotions is a deep sense of regret, shame and guilt.  Guilt for being the one that ultimately chose the abortion, went to the clinic, got on the table and gave the doctor permission to perform the abortion.  Some of you might be wondering how anyone could do such a thing?  Don’t be too quick to cast the first stone.  Deception is a big player in abortion choices.  

Deception is best written about in the Bible.  Think about Eve and something that made her infamous…yes, the fruit from the tree.  She was tempted because she was deceived by the enemy of our souls  into thinking the fruit would bring great promise for her life- sort of like the grass being greener on the other side of the fence…until you get to the other side of the fence and find out it’s not true.  Eve was so tempted to take a bite that she ignored all God had said to her and Adam.  (Genesis 3)

I’ve never met a woman that chose abortion lightly.  I’ve only met women that had their hearts torn in two- wanting to hold fast to their pregnancy and yet being fearful of moving forward in life with this same pregnancy.  As women, most would agree- our emotions often cause us harm.  Such was the case for Eve and such is the case for women that suffer from past abortions.  Is redemption possible?  YES!  God provides us with a beautiful redeeming cleansing through His son, Jesus.  Not even abortion is too big for God to redeem.

I’ve also had the privelege to walk alongside some of these post abortive women as we journeyed the road to healing.  Women that were once stuck in the prison of shame, guilt and tragedy are now walking in God’s wholeness for their lives.  

My heart breaks for women suffering in silence today for an abortion decision made in secret in their past.  I invite them to join me on Monday evenings beginning January 30th from 6-8pm in Gap at the Gap Community Church Hangar Youth Facility.  This is a confidential small group of women that all want to be free from their past abortion choices.  Just twelve women and me, working through the pain together and applying His salve and receiving redemption completely.  If you are ready for healing, please register at Forgiven & Set Free .  Registration is confidential.  If you would like to talk to me, call me directly at (610) 593-6331.

If you are not post abortive, please remember this group of women in your prayers as they bravely work through their pain and regret.  Also, perhaps you know someone that would benefit from this group- please share the information.  Together we can bring healing to God’s daughters.

In Him,

Karen Pennell