An inspiration for Pro-Life

I shared this story yesterday in my homily, and since the March for Life will be held today in Washington DC, I share it with all readers of my blog.....

Since the legalization of abortion in 1973 we ask you to pray for the millions of babies aborted over these past 39 years. When we say pray, we mean kneel down, bow your head and thank God that you are alive, something that one particular person has been doing a lot lately, in front of millions of people. And he has a reason why he’s doing this. Let me tell you his story.

Tim Tebow praying on his knees at Mile-High Stadium, Denver

More than 24 years ago, Pam and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant. Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn't think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher. Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football.

Baby Tim with his mother Pam and his four siblings, August 1987

Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.  The University of Florida’s star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football’s highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness. As a result, he is being called The Mile-High Messiah. And while Pam speaks on the gift of life in women’s centers around the country, Tim prays on his knees. And while people call his action tebowing – he is simply praying for being alive. He is preaching every day by his example. And it always helps if he is able to help his Denver Broncos get into the play-offs. Granted that they’re out now, but he had some remarkable come-backs for his team, and crowned every game by kneeling down and praying. Call it whatever you want, but remember that people have been encouraged to pray on their knees for 2000 years. But I guess it helps that a star-quarterback is doing it after every game, while thousands imitate him. 

Tim with his parents Pam and Bob Tebow