Nearly 45 years ago, back in 1962, a young, 15-year-old girl from a very small town had to make a critical life-or-death decision. It’s not every day that a bright, beautiful and popular teenage girl is faced with such a tough decision.

A considerably older and handsome hometown boy took particular interest in the new pretty girl at school. She appeared much more mature physically than she actually was. Mutual attraction and the fun they shared as neighbors led from one thing to another. Before long, they were spending more and more time together, alone. Looking for love, they compromised their convictions and gave way to their passions.

The lapse in judgment and subsequent moral failure resulted in an unplanned pregnancy in a day and age when nothing but shame was associated with such actions. Accepting the consequences and hiding the obvious was only one of few options. Terminating the pregnancy was the easy way out. No one had to know. The family’s little secret could remain at home. Life as usual could continue.

She may have been young, but she was incredibly courageous. The thought of facing her classmates in maternity clothes was almost unbearable. Like most small towns, everyone knew everyone else’s business. Being pressured to drop out of school was almost more than she could take. Despite the temptation to take care of the problem with a simple doctor’s office visit, she did the honorable thing and gave her baby a chance at life.

The young couple married, and a nine- pound baby boy was born in the winter of 1963. Holding the baby in her arms melted any doubt that she had made the right choice. Certainly, the actions that led to this day had disappointed many. Nor was this the life she had always dreamed of. But how could anyone claim this bundle of joy cooing at her side was nothing but a gift from God?

The baby boy she held in her arms was me. I am incredibly proud that my teenage mother gave her kid a chance. Sure, she made a mistake, but she also realized two wrongs don’t make a right. My life became a living testimony of Romans 8:28. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” How could she have ever known that her little boy, conceived in sin, would someday become the executive editor of one of the leading faith-based publications in the country? She didn’t, but God did.

Unfortunately, many misguided doctors, politicians and parents don’t give kids like me a chance. Instead, they shed innocent blood in the name of choice. The only choice, according to God, is life. We must do all we can to encourage mothers to give kids a chance. This is one kid who is glad his momma did!