I received this powerful testimony from an awesome young woman who is part of our church family. She gave me permission to share it:
Hey Pastor, something so neat happened tonight in service so I thought I would share it with you. Our Father is so amazing, beyond what we can even see that He is doing. I don’t know if you knew, but I had given up one of my daughters for adoption while I was heavy on drugs and alcohol. It is the hardest decision I have ever had to make. However, I’ve given that fully to the Father now and I walk in peace beyond understanding.
With that being said, the biological dad was heavy on my heart today and I have been worried about him (he was addicted to heroin). So I started walking in emotional pain from the adoption, with regret, worry and anxiety, which I know are NOT of the Father. I was discouraged about the pain I was feeling about giving my daughter away. I almost felt like staying home from church tonight (that’s why we were 10 minutes late). Then I took a deep breath and realized I have to choose to walk in my healing.
At the beginning of the service, you asked everyone to partner up with someone and discover needs and pray. I partnered with my husband and daughter. I had a girl walk up to me who I have never seen before. I asked her what I could pray for her for. She paused for about 30 seconds, scared and intimidated to respond with what she thought I might judge her for. Her answer stopped me in my tracks.
She had given up her child as well and relapsed and had a huge problem with drugs lately. She asked me to pray for her relationship with her child and the adoptive parents who have custody. She started to tear up. She did not know me or my story. What courage for her to have pinpointed me to ask! What a vulnerable thing to share with someone you do not know, something they could possibly judge you for or make you feel belittled for giving your baby away!
However, I was the right person to come to ask for prayer over that situation, because I myself have experienced that kind of terrific pain and suffering as well. I smiled and choked up with tears running down my face. I hugged her and told her I am a birth mommy as well and know what she is going through.
Most importantly, I know our Father heals ALL wounds and battle scars. What an encouraging and amazing night for me and her! Here I was emotional and thought about just going to bed early, however God had other huge plans for the night!
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