God’s Infinite Mercies

Most mornings, I spend some time with God and read scripture, following the Disciplines (Upper Room) Devotion book. I then share that scripture on LinkIn and Facebook, along with a picture and a little bit of commentary. This was yesterday’s scripture passage:

 

“I ask them: Did God reject His people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew...

 

for God’s gift and His call are #irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all.”

     (Romans 11:1-2a; 29-32)

 

And this is what I wrote yesterday::

 

Just because you make a mistake or have a moral failure — even a huge one — God’s plan for you hasn’t changed! His mercy is extended to all even before we repent and ask for forgiveness. He knows before we’re born how we’re going to stray from His path and He already has a plan in place to bring us to Him, or to bring us back to Him — through His everlasting mercy and grace.

 

As I was reading the scripture, I began to become excited, as I found myself thinking about the abortion I had 33 years ago, feeling like God was speaking specifically to ME. I also found two perfect pictures on the internet – one with a sunflower (which has become a symbol to me of our babies in heaven – all of them – including our two miscarriages). Sunflowers shine their faces to the sun, and to Jesus, and this is how I picture our babies. The first picture is what you see with this blog post; the second said: “God’s Plan was not cancelled because of a mistake you made. He can make your wrongs right.”

 

I know God can make all things right. But there was something about the use of the word mercy that really went straight to my heart. I began to have a conversation with my husband about mercy and grace, which eventually led to a deeper conversation. This doesn’t happen very often when we talk about the abortion, because my husband just copes with it differently then I do.

 

I believe now that God’s mercy was extended to me even as I was going through the abortion. Why else would I have told my husband, as we were leaving the clinic that day: “I am NEVER doing that again!” He also extended mercy by making sure my uterus wasn’t damaged – I went on to have two healthy sons, and oftentimes, women who’ve had abortions aren’t ever able to get pregnant again. My husband pointed out that God also extended “relational” mercy to both of us – we went on to get married a few months after the abortion, and this year in October will be celebrating our 33^rd wedding anniversary. Rarely do relationships survive abortions. I feel truly fortunate and grateful that ours has. 

 

If you're moved by what I've written, you might be interested in my guide: 3 Ways Remembering Your Abortion Can Change Your Life. 

Blessings, Carol