NEVER be afraid to tell your story no matter how personal if God is leading you. I clearly heard the Holy Spirit telling me to share something deeply personal during worship and I just received this email:
“I attended SVBC’s 8:30 service this morning and I wanted to let you know how much I was touched by the part of your testimony that you shared this morning. You see, although I was not raped, I was sexually abused for several years, which left me in a very dark place. In order to save myself from the situation, I felt I had no choice but to walk away from church and God and within 6 months of doing so I found myself dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. With no support system and a hardened heart against God, I made the unthinkable decision to have an abortion.
I spent the next 13 years of my life running from God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit until about 6 months ago when I found myself at the doorstep of Skokie Valley – I was so broken I feel as though I nearly crawled into church. I walked in and heard your music and wept the entire time I was there. It was the worship music that kept me coming back each week, as I was not yet ready to hear any of the Pastor’s messages.
This morning, hearing that your mother was raped and you could have been aborted brought me home and to my knees. Today was the first day that I have been able to ask God for forgiveness – it is the first time I have even been able to talk to God about my abortion, and today is day one of healing.
I am so grateful for your ministry and your courage to let God use you and speak through you when he leads you. I see how God is using you and it makes me wonder what I have robbed this world of by not letting them meet my baby – but I am so thankful that your mother made such a brave decision. The fact that you made the choice this morning to speak from your heart and share a difficult part of your story has opened the door for healing for me and I want to say thank you.”
I am speechless. So honored and humbled by God and His plan. You NEVER know who you might touch!!!!! Thank You God!!!!