A former participant in our Spring Bible Study emailed me this poem. What a beautiful way she used to express what the Lord was bringing forth in her life as she moved through the Bible Study from a place of brokenness and bondage to freedom and renewal!!
Empty
Empty instruction, little mention of prayer.
Empty teachings without the Bible there.
Empty feelings-nothing felt much like love.
Empty life, uninspired from above.
Empty dreams that You didn't point me toward.
Empty values that meant nothing without You, Lord.
Empty "love" that only made me feel worse.
Empty worth, concluding that uselessness was my curse.
Empty ideas as I was blind and afraid.
Empty beliefs as the decision was made.
Empty emotions when I walked down the sterile hall.
Empty womb, I had let them take it all.
Empty heart every time I numbed the pain.
Empty hands as I searched for joy in vain.
Empty spirit, so I looked up to the sky.
Empty soul, but I heard You knock as I cried.
Empty of sin and filled with grace.
Emptied of hopelessness, joy in its place.
Empty vessel, God use me today.
Empty of me and filled with you, I pray!
All of this emptiness you chose to consume,
with Your love and a cross, and an empty tomb.
written by: Leigh Ramsey
My name is Debbie Henagan and I am the Founder and Exective Director of Project 5:17. We are based in Sulphur, LA.
5:17 is an after abortion recovery ministry. Abortion devastates individuals and families daily. I know this hurt very well. I had an abortion many years ago. I walked into the clinic one way and out another, changed FOREVER.
In March of 2006 after many years of silence, I finally surrendered to God and began the process of recovery & healing. I felt the power of what God can do to set us free from anger, shame, fear and unforgiveness. I now walk in a new life filled with hope, healing, grace and renewal. I am truly a picture of God's grace.
After my recovery, I began to pray the same prayer of Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 1:3-4.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
This is a brief story of how 5:17 began. God’s hand has been on this ministry from the beginning. He ordained circumstances - events - placement of individuals and timing according to HIS plan.
His desire is to see men and women not only forgiven, but set free.
Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me.
In the grip of HIS grace,
Debbie Henagan
check us out on Facebook listed as Project 5:17 An After Abortion Recovery Ministry
