His Great Mercy - Sarah's Story

From LifeDate - Summer 2005

His Great Mercy – Sarah’s Story
by Grace Kern, Director of Word of Hope

The evidence that abortion has a negative effect on women, men, families, and society grows with every passing year. Since Word of Hope started 14 years ago we have seen a significant increase in calls from across the country. We receive an average of 225 calls per month. Our callers range in age from young teenagers to the elderly, and from prisons to rich suburbia. No matter what the age or where they live one thing that remains the same is our callers’ description of their feelings: depression, sadness, fear, and guilt surrounding the abortion experience.

Having an abortion at five months was the greatest tragedy of my life. I still remember this event like it happened yesterday. I still remember the faces . . . sounds . . . smells, and the pain. The abortion took two days. It was terrible. I could feel my baby thrashing around inside me fighting for her life before she died.

Sarah’s story is typical of the many women who call our office for help. Abortion appears to be the way out of a difficult situation. Instead of feeling free, however, Sarah felt herself locked in a prison of fear and guilt.

I always deeply regretted the abortion. I had been the good girl in college with a full scholarship and dreams of going to medical school. After the abortion, my grades dropped. I lost all self-esteem and self-confidence. I started dating an abusive person. I didn’t feel worthy of anyone’s love and I went through life wishing that I were dead. I got pregnant again. Many of my family members and friends told me that I should have another abortion. No way! I had been there . . . and done that. This baby was my baby and I was going to take care of him.

By the grace of God, Sarah was led to Word of Hope after reading an article about the ministry.

Part of me felt like God was going to take my baby away for what I had done. I had destroyed a life. I couldn’t accept God’s forgiveness for the horrible crime I had committed against my body, my family, my child, and God. I went through counseling for my abortion and second pregnancy with Word of Hope. I will never forget talking to the director, Grace Kern, for the first time. She loved me unconditionally and, with her help, I accepted the reality of what I had done. I began to accept God’s forgiveness for my sin of abortion. Grace helped me grieve for my child. I named her Danielle after Daniel in the Bible because he had succeeded where I had failed. In the face of adversity, he stood his ground and trusted God. In a small box, we placed pictures of myself, my family, and my aborted child’s ultrasound. With it I buried the guilt, pain, and anguish of the abortion. What I live with now is the experience, which God has used time and time again to encourage others to protect the lives of unborn children. I want everyone to know that abortion should never be an option.

God has continued to bless Sarah’s life. Her son is now 12 years old. She has graduated from college and continues to refer women to Word of Hope. Sarah says, “I have learned to forgive myself, but I will never forget Danielle.” Sarah keeps a tiny gold bangle bracelet as a reminder of her lost baby, and as a reminder of the importance and significance of every life.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3 ).

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6).