I am here today because abortion in many ways made my life a living hell for ten years, but has affected my life for eternity.  I lost the chance to be a father two times because I was not man enough to stand up for my children in the womb.  The first child was a decision that my girlfriend made because she didn’t want her parents to know we were sleeping together.  The second time, I drove her to the abortion clinic just three months after the first one. I remember going to the clinic with Kelly, and I remember the faces of the other women who I saw coming out of the so-called “minor procedure” with eyes full of tears and regret. At the clinic, I was not allowed to go in the first waiting room with Kelly.  I was told to sit in the exit room and wait for her to come out so I could take her home.  Although I never saw the inside of the rooms where the abortions were being done, I could see the trauma on the face of every girl who came out.  After that day at the clinic, I decided never to speak of that day again.  I medicated the shame I felt from the abortion with alcohol, pornography and a trail of dishonesty. 

Kelly and I were married two years later, and over the next six years, we fought a lot and I engaged in two affairs. I was at rock bottom. With the help of my family, Kelly, and a bible study called Forgiven and Set Free, I was able to find healing and forgiveness for what I had done to my own children and ask Jesus to direct my life from that point on.

As I look back at the choices we made, I was really a 20 year-old BOY who felt like there was no way out but to have the abortions.  However, I now see that him as an irresponsible young adult who chose to be an adult early by engaging in sex with his girlfriend.  For the men who find themselves faced with fatherhood, I urge you to think long and hard about the son or daughter you will destroy if you choose abortion. Today, with the thought of my two children rooting me on, I will be Silent No More.