How to Sow the Seeds of Healing

You don't even have to know if someone has had an abortion. And you certainly don't have to become a trained counselor or an expert in post-abortion issues. All you have to do is sow a few words of healing into your everyday conversations.

In every case, your goal is merely to plant the seeds of understanding, empathy, and hope that can lead to future healing. You are not trying to complete the healing process. But you can help break down some of the obstacles to healing.

In a simple, conversational way, cover the following three points:

(1) Announce that you have come to a whole new understanding of the abortion issue, including why people choose abortion and how it affects them;

(2) Express your compassion for women and men who have had abortions, knowing that they must constantly face the fear that others are judging or condemning them, and that they may be experiencing feelings of doubt and regret; and

(3) Describe how you have heard of new programs that help women and men find freedom from the burdens of secrecy and shame associated with past abortions.

For example, you might simply say, "I read an interesting article that gave me a whole new understanding of why women have abortions. I never really understood before how much pressure many are under to have an abortion.

"I also didn't realize before how much they feel judged and condemned by others. That fear of judgement can really make it hard for them to complete the healing process. Did you know that on average it takes around ten years for women to recover emotionally from a past abortion?

"The good news is that there are a lot of new programs now to help women and men who are dealing with post-abortion problems."

That's it. You have planted the seeds. Perhaps someone will ask for more information, in which case you can give them a copy of this publication or refer them to a post-abortion ministry in your area.

Just remember these three key words: understanding, compassion, and hope.

The first step, expressing understanding, respects the mind.

The second step, expressing compassion, soothes the emotions.

The third step, offering hope, feeds the spirit.

Wouldn't our world be a better place if everyone would begin to sow the seeds of understanding, compassion, and hope?

We have prepared this publication precisely to raise up millions of people, like you, to sow the seeds of post-abortion healing. Together we can create a much more loving and healing environment for those who are burdened by a past abortion.

So use this tool. Get some extra copies of this publication to leave around school or at work, to place in the literature rack at your church, or wherever. Encourage your friends and family to read it.

If this publication has opened your heart or mind in any way, it will help others, too.