By Pamela Palumbo, CEO
We know that the spiritual and emotional wounds left behind after an abortion can be devastating, lasting much longer than the physical wounds. Feelings of shame, guilt, and unworthiness can make those with an abortion in their past feel unworthy to seek a place at the Father’s table.
Our Post Abortion Bible Study was created to minister to these individuals and help them experience God’s loving forgiveness and healing. We’d like you to meet Robin and hear her story of healing from an abortion that happened over twenty years ago.
When her parents separated, young Robin’s cozy life was shattered. Her mom, despairing, was emotionally checked out. So Robin took on the role of “little mom” to her younger siblings. Somehow, she managed to maintain an A average at school and no one had any idea of the struggle at her home.
Eventually, Robin’s mom remarried and tried to reassert her parental role. But Robin rebelled against her mother’s authority. She frequently stayed out late, ran away a few times, began drinking, smoking marijuana and having sex – all by the age of 14.
At just 16, Robin became pregnant. Her boyfriend told her to have an abortion, and Robin’s mom agreed. Robin felt like she had no choice. Her mom and step-dad took her to an abortion clinic and it was done.
“I remember feeling very alone,” Robin remembers. “The place was dark and cold and I was not comforted or even treated as a human, just another procedure. I woke to blood dripping down my arm from a faulty IV and the staff scooting me out as quickly as possible.”
After the abortion, Robin became sad and depressed and continued her rebellious lifestyle of drinking, smoking, and sex. “If I had any sense of value or self worth, it disappeared in that [abortion] clinic,” she recalls.
Robin added criminal activities to the list of bad choices. “I eventually found myself in jail and, once again, pregnant.” It was during this difficult time when Robin encountered God and surrendered her life to Him. This time, Robin chose life – and made the decision to carry her child to full term. But she now faced the possibility of losing her to the foster care system.
Through a series of miracles, she had the honor of raising her daughter, who is now in her 20s. “In His ever so gentle way, the LORD healed me of my abortion along the way, as well as the wounds that led to that decision in the first place.”
Having a heart for women in similar circumstances, Robin was drawn to volunteer at Wellspring Life Ministry. She joined our Volunteer Training last spring, and learned about the Post-Abortion Bible Study designed to minister to women (and men) who have been impacted by an abortion in their past.
“The Lord had been working on my heart over the years and I knew I was forgiven, but I also understand healing from trauma often has layers. And, yes, abortion is a trauma and not just to the unborn child. So, I was open to the exploration of any further healing needed, and how to deal with it,” Robin shared.
She attended the Post Abortion Study and was encouraged by the group’s intimacy and non-judgmental tone. The study book was full of life-giving scripture and focused on God’s character and love. Even so, there were some difficult chapters, exploring the consequences of abortion.
Robin received another layer of healing and freedom. “I discovered there were areas I hadn’t considered before and maybe even would have been closed off to earlier in life. And, those were exactly the areas I needed to address and accept for further healing.
“I highly recommend PAS for any woman who has experienced an abortion.”
Healing from abortion is possible. Your support helps make that hope tangible for women and men. As a ministry partner, you are making it possible for them to experience God’s forgiveness and restoration—often for the first time. We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us so those who, like Robin, are suffering from a past abortion can find the gentle, life-giving healing found only in the arms of Jesus.
Grateful for our loving Father,
Pamela Palumbo, CEO
P.S. If you or anyone you know has been impacted by abortion, healing is possible. Learn more about our Post-Abortion Bible Study on our website.