Life as a Christian Woman

“Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you.”

Corrie Ten Boom
Christian woman who survived the Holocaust in a Nazi concentration camp

What do you do when you are faced with the undeniable truth that you have been misled, lied to, scammed?

Do you get angry? Vow revenge? Cry? Or maybe just slink away and promise yourself to be smarter next time?

I, and many others, are faced with that very situation today. Many of you may remember this column that I wrote on an unmarried pregnant woman who was facing harsh criticism from fellow Christians. Her baby had been diagnosed in utero with Trisomy 13, which would most likely bring death to her baby girl prior to birth or immediately thereafter.

This weekend “April Rose” was born. Hundreds of people stopped and prayed all weekend as we followed the updates that her friend posted. Suddenly, it all stopped.

And today comes the sad news that apparently this was all a hoax.

Many are angry, and those who had been the most vocal regarding helping this woman are being attacked themselves, even though they, too, have been lied to.  But the three young women who have led the charge to pray for this unborn child that appears to have never existed, are now asking us all to pray for the woman who perpetrated the scam.

And that, friends, is what we should all do.

I am angry, and upset. I cried over this baby girl over the weekend as it appeared life was slipping away. I wondered how her mother would be able to handle the pain of such a loss, yet rejoiced that she had been able to meet her daughter face to face. My gut reaction is to spout a few well chosen words, fling a “what goes around comes around” and get on with my life.

But that’s not what God would have me do.

For whatever reason, this woman chose to perpetrate a lie on many, many folks. But while she may not have presented herself factually, I think we can all agree that she needs prayer. Obviously, she has issues that we can only imagine. But, as Christians, we aren’t allowed to wallow in hatred. No, we must turn that other cheek and lift up those who have wronged us in prayer.

So today I am asking you to do just that. Just take a minute of time and say a prayer for “B”, as she called herself. Pray that God will heal whatever it is in her that has led her down this path. Pray for health, both mental and physical.

And pray for those that invested love and time in this woman, only to find out they had been misled. Pray that their hearts won’t harden to those who need to be loved on, but will remain open and loving.

Matthew 6:14-16
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.