By Andrew Huang, 10th grade
Tim Tebow. When people hear of this name, they think of a national champion, a Heisman winner, or a man known for character, faith, and dedication. Yet before any of this, before he was born, doctors told his mother that he might be born with severe disabilities, and they recommended ending the pregnancy. She refused, choosing life instead. Tim Tebow’s story illustrates that even when hardships and challenges are predicted, every child possesses extraordinary value and potential.
The Christian definition of love is connected to God’s love for humanity. In John 3:16, we read, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” This verse reveals that real love is sacrificial, unconditional, and focused on the eternal good of another person. Love is not based on physical strength, mental ability, or health. Love recognizes that life is a gift created by God and deserving of protection no matter what.
Mercy is closely connected to love. Mercy seeks to help comfort, support, and stand alongside those who suffer. However, mercy is never removing the person in order to remove a suffering. While some people believe abortion for a baby who may have a disability is a merciful choice, this means life with hardship lacks meaning. Destroying life because it might include suffering ignores both the dignity of a child and the truth that suffering can lead to strength, compassion, and deeper love. Taking the life of a preborn baby because of a possibility of a disability is not loving or merciful. It denies the child any chance to experience family, friendship, or God’s plan for their future. Medical predictions are not always perfect, and stories like Tim Tebow demonstrate that even those “at risk” can thrive. And even when a disability is confirmed, children can enrich their families and communities through their unique gifts and their courage. Their lives hold equal dignity to every other human life.
Honoring this dignity requires action. One way is to support a culture of life. This can be through offering encouragement to pregnant mothers. Providing items such as diapers, clothing, or meals can help show that the child is welcome. Another way is through a school or community. Students can help and volunteer with organizations that assist children with disabilities or advocate through pro-life clubs and service projects.
Tim Tebow’s life began as a pregnancy the world considered too risky. Today, his achievements and services remind us that God’s plan for every child is far greater than fear, doubt, or any human prediction. No doctor, challenge, or disability can take away the God-given dignity of a human life. The same God who “so loved the world” that He gave His Son calls for us to love courageously and defend those who cannot defend themselves. True love and true mercy will always choose life, even in the most difficult and uncertain circumstances.
Andrew Huang won second place in the high school category of the Culture of Life Studies Program’s 2025 Pro-Life Essay Contest.