Another conservative Republican state lawmaker who wears his religion on his sleeve has been targeted by “blackmail” tactics similar to those that forced former House members Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat to eventually come clean about their extramarital affair.
On Friday, state Rep. Lee Chatfield, a freshman legislator from northern Michigan seeking re-election, went on Facebook to declare, along with his wife, Stephanie, that an anonymous critic was threatening to expose an abortion that his wife underwent as a high school student.
These “rumors” could have been particularly damaging to Chatfield, a pro-life lawmaker who attended private Christian schools and whose father is a minister. The Chatfields live in Leverling, south of Mackinaw City, and Stephanie, a stay-at home mom, is also a deeply religious person.
But the Chatfields decided to come clean and seek understanding. The representative’s Facebook message said: “Please see the statement below made by my wife regarding her unplanned pregnancy in high school. I’m extremely proud of my wife for her courage!”
Though the identity of the person who threatened to expose Stephanie Chatfield’s secret remains a mystery, she launched into a lengthy Facebook message seeking forgiveness from pro-life Republicans:
There are women all around us in our communities that need help with pregnancies. There are young girls that have unplanned pregnancies and feel that there’s nowhere to turn and no one to confide in. These girls are afraid. And these young girls – feeling alone, helpless or ashamed – unfortunately turn to the only solution that they believe can solve their supposed crisis: abortion. I know this personally, because as a teenager in high school, I had an abortion.
To tell you the truth, I desperately wish that I had the courage as a teenage girl to accept and welcome my child into this world. I wish that I had the same amount of courage that it’s taking me to share my story now. But I didn’t, and I made a decision that I’ve thought about and regretted nearly every day since. It’s haunted me. It’s made me weep. It’s made it difficult to look in the mirror at times. I knew that what I did was wrong at the time, but I never imagined the weight and guilt that I would carry as a consequence. But now, it’s time for me to tell my story, and if this testimony helps other young girls, then to God be the glory.
First, I would sincerely like to thank the person who recently contacted my husband. You informed my husband that you had heard a rumor, and that you would keep digging. You promised that you would ensure that this story went public. In fact, your desire to see this story go public emboldened me to do something that I should have done years ago. After speaking it over with my husband, I felt that telling my story was best. And no matter the intentions of anybody wishing to see this story go public, this I am certain of: God meant it for good and will glorify Himself through this.
In high school, I made a poor decision to attend a party one night. I have no memory of the majority of that night, but judging by my appearance and physical condition the next morning, I knew I had been taken advantage of. Three weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t tell my friends. I didn’t tell my parents. Truthfully, I didn’t tell anybody. I was ashamed and I was scared.
The decision that I made one week later to abort my child was the worst of my life. Rather than find comfort in the ones around me that loved me the most, I sought to take care of the situation the only way that I knew how. I should not have done it. It was my easy way out, but little did I know that I would be stricken with an unbearable guilt for the months and even years to follow.
It wasn’t until after I spoke with my parents and my then ex-boyfriend (now my husband, Lee), that I realized the full forgiveness and grace that God freely offers through His Son Jesus Christ. You see, Christ took my place on the cross and bore the weight of my sin so that I could have eternal life. And though my sins are forgiven, I never want to minimize the mistake that I made that day, because it now magnifies the love and grace of my Savior through the telling of this story.
To girls everywhere, if you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, whatever the circumstances, know that those around you love you and want to help you. There are crisis pregnancy centers in our area that exist for the sole purpose of helping girls like you. The support is there. You will not be judged, but rather you will be loved and forgiven. Be courageous. Reach out and look for support!
To those who’ve had abortions and might be battling with guilt, there’s forgiveness in Christ. There’s a life to be lived! God has so graciously blessed me with four beautiful children and a wonderful, loving husband who takes care of us and adores me for who I am, mistakes and all. God has forgiven me, and He’ll forgive you too.
To all Pro-Life advocates, be against abortion – yes, but let’s continue being proactive and looking for young girls and women who are hurting, suffering and confused so we can offer them assistance. Let’s be about solutions and showing the true love of Christ to each and every woman in our communities and families.
And to everybody reading this, remember what I had forgotten – that God is greater than our sin. I am confident that God can continue to use an imperfect person like me to bring Himself glory. And while the life vs. choice debate will continue to wage on, this I know for certain: I made the wrong choice. Yet, I plan to use my story to help girls, love others and serve as a living testimony of God’s grace and forgiveness.
–Stephanie Chatfield
There are women all around us in our communities that need help with pregnancies. There are young girls that have unplanned pregnancies and feel that there’s nowhere to turn and no one to confide in. These girls are afraid. And these young girls – feeling alone, helpless or ashamed – unfortunately turn to the only solution that they believe can solve their supposed crisis: abortion. I know this personally, because as a teenager in high school, I had an abortion.Photo: Lee Chatfield website
