In 1984, to remember the 11th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, President Ronald Reagan declared January 22 National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Until this week, I was entirely unaware that such a day existed. It makes sense, of course. I’ve participated in the March for Life, which is a massive annual protest for the sake of the unborn, and it occurs ever year in Washington D.C. right around this time. (This year’s March is tomorrow, January 23rd.)
This year, the Sanctity of Human Life Day was brought to my attention at my church, where the President of a local crisis pregnancy center spoke to all of the congregants about the plight of thousands of local mothers who undergo abortions every year, and the thousands of babies who are killed in the procedures. Especially touching was the story of Mia, printed on a bulletin insert and courtesy of The Life Network:
Single, with a five-month-old son, Mia found herself in what seemed like a catastrophic crisis. “Choice” implies a range of alternatives, but for Mia, the only alternative was abortion. She saved her money, scheduled an appointment, and looked forward to the relief an abortion would bring. Pregnancy over, crisis averted.
But the relief she anticipated turned into anxiety and unrest as the day of her scheduled abortion approached. At her appointment, an ultrasound was performed to establish the age of her preborn child and determine which abortion procedure would be used. Noticing Mia’s uneasiness, the ultrasound technician said, “You don’t want to do this, do you?” She turned the ultrasound display and Mia was able to see the beating heart of her child.
Mia felt the fear of God come over her, and she knew that she couldn’t go through with her choice to abort. With tears now streaming down her face, and armed with a new resolve, Mia halted the preparations and walked out of the clinic, confident that God had used the technician and the ultrasound to speak to her about her preborn child.
Upon leaving the clinic, Mia noticed a sign directly across the street for the local pregnancy center. It was also a sign of hope. Unsure of what to expect, Mia walked in and asked for help. Soon she was speaking with a compassionate volunteer, who counseled Mia with life-affirming options for her pregnancy, prayed with her, and offered her the opportunity to receive mentoring and education to help her walk through the days ahead.
Through the ministry she received at the center, Mia found a hope that came to her in her moment of greatest need. Mia named her beautiful baby girl Lucy–whose name means light. Mia continues to attend the center’s mentoring program, where she receives ongoing support as she parents her little ones by herself, but knowing that she will never be alone again. Mia now describes Lucy as one of her greatest blessings from the Lord–the “light” of her life given to her by the Light of the World. (For Mia’s story in audio, visit here.)
Too often, the cause of the unborn is forgotten in the wake of economic upsets, discussions on defense, and turbulent social policy. Even though today features the NFC and AFC championship games, take a moment to contemplate those who never made it out of the womb alive. Tim Tebow did, but just barely.
Pray for those who are currently at risk of being killed in utero, and pray for the success of those who wage the battle for the unborn every day of their lives. It is one of the most important battles of our age.
