Just after 8 pm last Tuesday evening (May 2), my phone started to chirp. Incoming text messages were all about the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which seemed to indicate the undoing of Roe vs. Wade and Casey vs. Planned Parenthood. Initially, all messages were celebratory. That changed quickly as the realization hit that those in favor of abortion were going to hit back with a vengeance.
It has been a hard week for women who have been negatively impacted by past abortion. It is hard to turn on the news and hear all the clamoring voices. It reminds us of what we have done and tried so hard to forget because suddenly ‘that’ word is everywhere we turn.
It is hard for those of us who regret the decisions we made because we know all too well the hurt of abortion. It hurt us emotionally, physically, spiritually, relationally. It made us feel unlovable, unforgivable, unworthy. We know we are responsible for the death of our own unborn children, driving us into dark places of isolation and secrecy – fearful others would find out what we had done. Many carry this secret for years and it slowly poisons every aspect of their lives.
Post-abortive women rarely speak up about their abortions. Who wants to open up their deepest, darkest secret of guilt and death to the world? The shame of it consumes us at times. It’s bad enough that we can’t forget what we did – why would we want anyone else to know about it? As a result, the post-abortion voices most often heard in the public arena seem to be those who do not regret their abortions. Some are loud, raucous and even celebratory. Their words make our stomachs tighten as they say abortion was the best decision they ever made. They talk about how it allowed them to continue school, attain their dream job, distance themselves from a relationship they didn’t want to continue. They seem absolutely okay with it. Meanwhile, many post-abortive women remain far from okay.
We hear pro-choice politicians committing to do what they can to end abortion restrictions and expand access. They talk about allowing abortions until just prior to birth. They reaffirm their intent to protect a woman’s choice. Our hearts break as we know that choice will cause thousands more women to be wounded. And, thousands more unborn innocent lives will be ended in a most horrific fashion.
I am grateful to be a woman who has been forgiven the sin of abortion by Jesus Christ. I have been freed from the chains of fear and shame that once held me captive. I believe God made it clear to me several years ago that my past was not to be kept a secret. He has blessed me beyond measure as He has allowed me to minister to other hurting women. I am awed He would choose to work through a broken, messy woman like me to help others.
And like me, there are others committed to bringing the devastation of abortion out of dark secrecy and into the light for others to see. Our experiences are important to the conversation about abortion. These experiences illustrate abortion in a way that nothing else can.
Unfortunately, the media once again appears to largely favor only one side of the story. I can only hope and pray that will change.
About the Author: Kay Kiefer is the Executive Director of We Are Everywhere, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women heal after abortion and to bring light to the public about the devastating affects that abortion has on women and our society. We Are Everywhere is dedicated to empowering Christian ministries and individuals to reach out in LOVE to those impacted by abortion.