Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: DULL (05/12/17)
-
TITLE: Seeing Light in the darkness | Previous Challenge Entry
By linda simpson
05/18/17 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing
And their eyes they have closed.”Matthew 13:15
February 1970 ENGLAND
Ann Greenwold took a seat in the hospital waiting room and placed
her small case on the floor. Several other women were already there, waiting with their little cases. No one was talking and there were only sly looks around, all avoiding direct eye contact. It seemed an eternity before her name was called. Until then she kept convincing herself it was the right thing to do.
“The doctor said it was a simple procedure with very little discomfort.”
“He said it will remove the cause of my distress.”
“If I have this baby it will mean two within 12 months and I wouldn't cope.”
“It will mean we can still go to Australia and not have to wait another year.”
With fumbling fingers Ann put on the white gown, was led into the
theatre and helped onto the table.
“Its all over Mrs. Greenwold, everything went well.”
Ann travelled home with instructions to spend 2 days in bed.
But Ann felt empty.
The Greenwolds, Robert, Ann, and baby William sailed for Australia in April.
************************************************
It seemed that the problem had been solved – but had it?
Every so often Ann would get out the diary she kept in England
and read the single entry on a certain page 'one month' - figure out
how old the child would have been then push the guilt down.
In a radio broadcast abortion was described as 'scraping babies into
buckets' bringing to Ann the fresh realization of what had actually happened. But she continued to push the guilt back down.
Little frustrations would trigger very angry outbursts and Robert
complained she was becoming more distant.
Time passed. A son James, then twelve months later a daughter Laura were added to the family.
Ann had taken up yoga to handle the pressure of 3 small children.
Robert worked long hours to provide.
Ann worried whenever Laura got very sick she might die as a punishment for the abortion.
A job opportunity arose offering life in a rural community so the Greenwolds moved to the country.
Ann suffered bouts of depression. An invitation came to attend her brother's wedding in Canada. Knowing they would be financially unable to attend she threw herself on the bed and sobbed uncontrollably. Suddenly it was as if a giant hand soothed her back and quieted her. This awoke a remembrance and realization of God. She decided to search for the 'presence' she had felt as a child in Sunday school.
Ann and Robert had made new friends. Some belonged to a 'different church'. Ann attended their home bible study finding the people were warm and accepting and discovered Jesus was real, wanted to be her friend and would never let her down. She decided to commit her life to Jesus and Robert, noticing the good changes in her life, also became a believer.
Faith in Christ filled the void in her heart, studying the Word revealed to Ann the magnitude of God's forgiveness and grace. She experienced freedom from condemnation about the abortion, was able to grieve for the loss and was, eventually, able to forgive herself, satisfied that one day she would see their child in heaven.
A desire came to help other women who had the same experience - to let them know that Jesus could heal their hearts. Ann became a volunteer with a pregnancy support group which led to the launching of a small branch of an international organization ministering to women who had had abortions.
She and a friend were also able to share their stories at local churches allowing women who had kept their abortion secret to know the love and forgiveness of Jesus. Ann also learned she had been suffering from Post Abortion Syndrome (similar to Post Traumatic Distress Disorder). Many women don't realize the symptoms and don't understand the depth of grief accompanying abortion because they don't know it's a spiritual loss.
(Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life)
By letting others see how God had worked in her life, speaking the truth about abortion and sharing about the forgiveness and healing power of Jesus, Ann traded her dullness for a light she could bring to others and glorify God.
Based on fact. Names changed.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
God bless you in your journey and may you keep shining His light~
We might like to say the sins we have committed were not as horrendous as abortion. I know of only one sin unpardonable.
You made a strong case on how important it is to spread the gospel and reach someone before they commit haunting sins that weigh the soul down with guilt.
Good Job. God bless
Your story is inspiring to those who have gone through the same experience.