October Baby

One wintry morning, I stood in the shower crying, feeling like a failure. My dream of becoming an actress felt distant. I had no agent and no auditions, and my confidence was gone. In desperation, I cried out to God, asking if I was chasing something that wasn’t meant to be.

Not long after, I received a call from the Erwin Brothers, who offered me a role in their first feature film, October Baby. As I read the script, I was introduced to Cindy Hastings, a successful lawyer who had once tried to abort her child. The story struck a deep chord because it mirrored events from my own life.

Years earlier, I had revealed to my husband, Matt, that I had undergone an abortion in my past. We had been trying for another child after our son, Levi, was born, but we couldn’t conceive. It broke me to confess that I had once ended a life I couldn’t now create. Matt responded with grace and love, just like Cindy’s husband in the film. I knew then this role was meant for me.

I shared my story with the Erwin Brothers—my past, the abortion, everything. Their response was immediate: The role was mine.

But soon, doubt crept in. My part was small, just five minutes of screen time. Could this really be the breakthrough I had prayed for? I questioned whether I had mistaken a moment of hope for something bigger than it was.

Frustrated, I prayed again. I told God I wanted more. In that moment, God prompted me to confess my abortion. I wept, asking for forgiveness. Then I had a vision: a little girl in heaven with a sweet face and, behind her, countless children running and playing. I saw women’s faces emerging from the dark. God said, This is for them.

I didn’t fully understand, but I felt peace. It wasn’t about me; it was about what God wanted to do through me. A year after filming, as I promoted October Baby, I shared my story everywhere I went. Those five minutes changed my life. God used my pain and testimony to reach countless women with his message of grace.

By Shari Rigby

Is there a piece of your story the Lord redeemed and wants to use to help impact others? If so, write it down and share it with a close friend.