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I was so ashamed for having an abortion.

And then, I had another one. I couldn’t have hated myself more.

Still, I put myself in yet another situation. 3 abortions in a 6 year span.

And then a miscarriage. I thought for sure this was punishment for my previous abortions.

Then I fell into a dark depression. I thought the world would be better off without me and that I was an unredeemable person.

I grew up in the church and that’s where all of my shame resided. Would God still accept me with open arms? Could I ever be worthy of His love and grace again?

Although making the choice to not be a mom each time was by far the hardest decisions I’ll ever have to make, I don’t regret them.

I’m here to tell you that there is light at the end of those dark tunnels.

You can find favor and forgiveness. I did. My life is still important.

People of all religious faiths have abortions. You can read stories and see emotional support resources by clicking here to visit our “For People of Faith” page. We ask people to reflect on the fact that the wisdom of women — people who can get pregnant — is missing from holy books and dogma. Religious shame comes from men and people who never experience periods, pregnancies, births or abortions in their own bodies.