Standing For Life

Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow is the newest winner of the coveted Heisman Trophy. With 29 passing touchdowns and 22 rushing touchdowns last fall, Tebow displayed the kind of versatility and athleticism that distinguished him as the best college football player in the nation. Even more remarkable, Tebow is the first sophomore in history to win the 73-year-old Heisman.

There is a “rest of the story” you need to hear. Tebow’s parents, Bob and Pam, were missionaries in the Philippines when Pam became pregnant with Tim. Shortly before becoming pregnant, Pam had been treated for amoebic dysentery, contracted from contaminated drinking water. She was still being treated with a series of strong medications when she became pregnant. Her physicians believed the medications had irreversibly damaged her unborn child. She was strongly encouraged to have an abortion.

Because of her faith, Pam refused to consider aborting her baby. She carried the baby to term, spending the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and on August 14, 1987, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, who she described as “skinny and rather long.” “The combination of Timmy's God-given talent, hard work, character and leadership have made a mark on and off the football field,” says Pam.

It is sad to think of how many potential Heisman Trophy winners, political leaders, scientists, inventors, doctors, preachers and others never had a chance to make their mark because their mothers chose to give into the pressure to abort. Since the legalization of abortion on demand in January, 1974, 49 million Americans have been deprived of their most basic constitutional and God-given right — the right to life.

There will be a time in your life, if it has not happened already, when you will have the opportunity to influence someone who is considering an abortion. It may be a friend, a child or grandchild, a nephew or niece. Psalm 82:4 commands us to “Rescue the weak and needy …” I challenge you now to speak out for those who have no voice, to rescue the helpless.

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg