Monday, February 15, 2010

Changing One Heart for Many

If you’re visiting for the first time and you don’t know my story (God’s Story), you may want to check it on the left-hand side bar under “My Secret Sin.” I was one of those human beings who needed a heart change. If you have had an abortion, I want you to know you will find no condemnation here, but you will find Truth wrapped in grace and mercy. God has brought you here because He doesn’t want you to hurt and feel ashamed anymore, but what He does want from you is to trust Him with your pain. Will you do that? I hope so. If you need to talk or need prayer, click on ‘profile’ for email.

There’s a clinic in our town where they offer the woman a stone just before they walk her down the hall to perform the abortion. This stone is to symbolize the difficult choice she is making and to help her through it.

The first time I heard about this was when a young lady came to the center for a pregnancy test. As we sat across from each other, I started to ask her some routine questions which lead to her sharing with me about her abortions. Half way through her story she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small semi-glossy stone. I’m sure the look on my face was puzzling, because it was then she began to explain where she got it and why it was given to her. She said they told her that this stone would help her get through this difficult time and that it would bring healing. For the first time I was at a loss for words. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

As I sat there listening to all the reasons why she went through with her abortions, I could see the pain in her heart as her fingers wrapped tightly around the stone. She assured me that life for her was just fine, but her fingers were telling me a different story as they were turning white from clutching the stone.

On my way home, her words kept rolling around in my mind. I thought “why a stone?” Then it dawned on me. Some religions believe that stones bring healing and others believe they protect you from evil spirits. I’m familiar with this way of thinking because my older sister practices this stone believing faith (?).

The next morning during my time with the Lord, He brought me to Ezekiel 36:26. He laid on my heart that many of us have false idols in our lives, just like the Israelites did. When we decide to take hold of  false ‘truth’ in this world, our hearts become callous and in time turn hard … just like the stone that the young woman was holding in her hand. The voice of God starts to grow faint. We start to act on what we feel and not on God’s truth, or we become too ashamed to ever believe that the God of the Universe could love us.

Many times I think about that stone and what it truly represents. It’s a reminder of what could have been, what should have been, if only we hadn’t placed our desires before God’s. I remember when my desires caused me to ignore the voice of God.  How thankful I am that God didn’t leave me in that place. It wasn’t easy facing what I had done, but it never is. My willingness to lay down my filthy rags for His righteousness was the beginning of my stony heart becoming a heart of flesh.

When placing our lives in God’s hands, our hearts become flesh.


Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Father God,
Your Word is Life. You are full of mercy and grace, so we ask , oh Lord, to pour down on us. We pray that hearts would be soften and the foundation that has been built against You would crumble. Despite all that we have done as a nation, You desire us to be Your children.
We as believers in Jesus Christ, come together asking that many hearts of stone will become flesh at the very touch of Your hand. In Jesus Mighty  Name, Amen.

Tammy

19 comments:

Emmy said...

Reading, crying, praying with you. Other than that, just speechless.

April said...

Wow thank you for sharing that... It is so sad! Praying for hearts to be softened, open, healed...
April

Andrea said...

Continuing to pray that GOD will use you in a profound way. Sending lots of love and hugs, andrea

debrah said...

this has crept into the church-handing out tokens to remind us to pray for a certain situation or circumstance. I continue to agree with you in prayer that hearts and minds will be changed to seek the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord. I pray that the Lord will reveal all the false idols that we have been holding on to -things that have taken up space in our hearts, minds and attitude that belong to God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit. I pray that we will have the courage to face the truth and receive His Forgiveness, Grace, Mercy, Deliverance and His Love. I pray that the Love of Jesus will rule and reign in our hearts and minds. Thank you for leading us in prayer each week.

Cheryl Barker said...

Agreeing with you in prayer again this week...

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Yes, a golden calf comes to mind...

Bless her heart; a stone, a dead one, not the Living One. Oh how I wish she could cling to his truth and not the enemy's version therein.

Great teaching here, Tammy. Your words write with rich perspective and mercy. Thanking God for you in this moment.

peace~elaine

RCUBEs said...

Prayed that with you :) Noone else can change our hearts but Him. It is sad when we cling to those idols that can't even answer our prayers. May His light shine on everything that is in the dark. Blessings to you and may God protect you.

LisaShaw said...

Powerful Tammy! Filled with truth dear sister! Tears streamed as I read about the lady you spoke with.

Standing for LIFE with you. I love you.

Jennifer said...

Praying with all of you this week. Great post Tammy!

Cindy said...

I'm praying for that young woman. I recently wrote a post at my blog called "Feeding on Ashes" in reference to the scripture that talks about following after the deceit of the world being no better or sustaining than eating ashes. That's what the stone represents to me in your story. It was a false hope.

Melinda said...

This poor, precious woman, clinging to a lifeless stone for healing. Praying with you all for "hearts of flesh."

Wonderful post, Tammy!

Blessings,
Melinda

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Great post Tammy, what a powerful picture, that young woman clutching the stone. Such a need for the ministry you are involved in. Praying today for you.

Sonja

Edie said...

Wow, what an incredible story. How sad for a baby to be replaced by a stone.

It amazes me that people are so willing to put faith in something like a stone but be so unwilling to even consider putting faith in the Living God. I was there once myself.

Deborah Ann said...

I think your approach of love and understanding will speak so much more loudly in these women's hearts than judgment ever could...

Barbara said...

God has certainly placed you in a place where your compassion and heart is needed! My heart breaks that these women are given stones to "heal" their hearts. They are deceived by an enemy who is hard at work, but God has sent you into the battlefield. You have such an awesome opportunity to share the true "rock" with them. I am praying for you and the lives you touch.

LisaShaw said...

Came back to say I just uploaded your message to my facebook. Love you!

Lynn Cowell said...

Tammy,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog yesterday. It was so good to hear from so many who have a heart for teens. I hope you will continue to stop by. On Wednesday I have a post called "In the Know" where I cover issues that teens are facing daily and how we can come along side of them. You can click on the subscribe button to receive it right in your email box to make it even easier.

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

What a touching story, Tammy. I'm glad she had you sitting across from her, reading between the lines. You will be sure she is lifted up in prayer. We are all saved by grace, not by anything we've done to deserve salvation! May God soften her heart and begin a healing miracle.

Glad to be back in bloggy land! Loved hearing from you today. Thanks for leaving me a comment. You are a light in the wilderness, my friend. God has big plans for you and your story!

PS. I was born in Poughkeepsie, NY! Also, I've been searching for the scripture you have on your header! Loved the blog look and the scripture. It was in God's plan that I came to visit.

Have a great weekend!
Sonya Lee

susan said...

Oh Tammy you are so right on- and coming clean with God is wonderful. Freedom and not living in fear- God changed my heart and I know He's working on others as we join in prayer together. Much Love-