I had a chance to watch October Baby with my family and I have to say I loved the movie! It’s about a young woman who discovers that she was adopted–but more than that, that she survived an abortion attempt by her birth mother.
It’s an impacting, moving story. It’s told well, and they did a great job with the production. The story wasn’t an easy one to tell, yet they pulled it off well!
After the movie was over and we turned on the lights, my 19-year-old daughter turned to me. “Everyone needs to watch that movie.”
I agree!
I know the movie will impact many. Yet for those who’ve had an abortion in that past, like me, it may stir up old pains. I remember the first time I heard another person talk about abortion at church. I wanted to sink into the pew and hide. I’m sure I sucked in an audible gasp.
It happened during announcements. The pretty blonde stood in front of the church. “I had an abortion when I was 19.” Her eyes scanned the crowd. “And I will be leading a Bible study for others like me.”
My hands trembled. I was sure everyone around me could guess my secret. Yet a flicker of hope stirred.
There’s someone like me — someone who knows this pain . I’d been a Christian for years, but the shame of an abortion at 15 heavily weighed on my heart. I had no idea other women also dealt with the same heartache.
Women Like Me
Each year, almost half of all pregnancies among American women are unintended. 1 About half of these unplanned pregnancies, 1.3 million each year, are ended by abortion. 1 , 2 Yet for a Christian woman, it may feel like she’s the only one dealing with this issue. Church leaders often don’t know how to approach the subject for fear of stirring “controversy.” Yet women need hope. They need to hear that others have faced the same pain and have found forgiveness and healing. That’s why movies like October Baby are so important. The main character of October Baby is the young woman who survived the abortion attempt, and my heart also went out to her mother. No one knew the pain but her. I’m sure she was certain no one would understand.
Post-Abortion Healing
After an abortion, many women cope through repression and denial. Oftentimes, this “works” for 5, 10, even 20 years, but having children or facing infertility can bring suppressed feelings to light. Before she realizes her pain, suppressed shame and guilt can express themselves in many ways including low self-esteem, insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks. It is common to turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the ache.
Steps to healing.
Women do not need to remain suffering silent prisoners. According to J. Willke, there are five steps in the healing process:
- Counter the denial. A woman must take responsibility, admitting she killed her baby.
- Grieve over her lost child. Releasing pent-up tears often brings healing.
- Seek divine forgiveness. In my case, it helped to realize Jesus’ grace was greater than my sin.
- Forgive others. There are many people I resented for their part, including family members and my old boyfriend. I soon realized that this hatred hurt me the most.
- Forgiving herself. Romans 6:16 states that “sin leads to death.” When I was able to forgive myself for believing Satan’s lies, I found inner peace that I’d not experienced in years. Afterwards, I knew I had to help others find the same peace.
- Reaching Out. After my own healing, I led post-abortion groups using the book, Forgiven and Set Free by Linda Cochrane. I also share my testimony in person and through writing. My words of hope maybe exactly what another woman needs.
I encourage you to watch October Baby! Also spread the word. Let your friends know about this amazing movie!
If you’ve had an abortion, I pray you will find healing. And if you know someone who has–won’t you reach out to her and help her? A loving friend can do amazing things through the healing process.
- Guttmacher Institute. Facts in Brief – Induced Abortion. 2003. www.agi-usa.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html
- Finer LB, Henshaw SK. Abortion incidence and services in the United States in 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2003; 35: 6-15.
- J. Willke, P.A.S. Five Steps on How You Can Help, Life Issues Connector, Mar. 1996
Tricia, Here is a song the Lord gave me:
One day I’ll know you
And you’ll know me
One day I’ll hold you
And you’ll hold me
Until these days
Have passed away
Jesus knows you
And He holds you
And me
I would encourage women to go to your local pregnancy information center and take the post-traumatic stress disorder classes. I was raped by a person I knew. I blocked it out until going through these classes, 25 years later. You can be healed in Jesus’ Name. I remember saying, “I can’t forgive myself.” The Holy Spirit revealed the moment I said it, “I can’t (not the one who can give me forgiveness). I have confessed it to Him, and Jesus has already forgiven me!” How freeing it was.
Kathleen
Hubby and I saw it when it was a limited release last fall. Amazing movie. We both had tears in our eyes by the time it ended. I’m so thankful for how the Lord is using this movie to bring up subjects that are difficult to talk about. Hopefully, many will find hope in the Lord through this movie!
Thank you so much Kathleen! What a beautiful poem! I agree that classes like the one you took and the post-abortion Bible Study class that I took are SO important to healing!
I agree Brooke, it is an amazing movie!
Thank you. I had an abortion 19 years ago at the age of 29. Today I am married to the father of that baby & we have two lovely children. I still grieve the choice we made all those years ago.
If only people knew the pain of that decision…if only I’d known!