Sanctity of Human Life

Today is the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, sending the issue of abortion back to the states. At One by One, we celebrate this anniversary because we believe firmly in the sanctity of human life, but we also recognize that women facing unplanned pregnancies are often alone, scared, and unsure what to do next.

Our message to any woman who is worried about a pregnancy is simple: you do not have to go through this alone. One by One mentors are available to walk with you in this new chapter of life – not only through your pregnancy but also through your child’s early years.

Keep reading to see why we believe every life is valuable and how we support new moms.

Why We Stand for Life
What does it mean to believe in the “sanctity of human life”? This idea is rooted in the concept of “Imago Dei” – that God created humans and that he created us in His image.

• Job 33:4: “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
• Psalm 100:3: “Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”
• Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He crated him; male and female He created them.”

We also believe God knows us and regards us as humans even in the womb.

• Psalm 139:13-16: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
• Jeremiah 1:4-5: “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’”

Humans are the only creatures God made in His image, and, as theologian Louis Berkhof says, “The fact that man is made in the image of God distinguishes him from the animal and every other creation.”

The fact that we’re made in God’s image means we have the capacity to reflect God’s nature, and we have the abilities to reason, express free will, think rationally, and grow spiritually. When sin entered the world, humans became broken, but that did not change the fact that we are made in God’s image. We still have intrinsic value and have the capacity to grow in likeness to God through faith, service, and moral development.

Because we believe God created humans in His image, we believe every life is sacred, precious, and made with purpose, regardless of our abilities, disabilities, or behavior. All lives should be respected and protected.

Proverbs 31:8 reminds us, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” There is no more vulnerable population than unborn children. One by One will continue to advocate for their rights as we support the moms who choose life for their babies so that they can parent well.

How One by One Helps
One by One provides trained mentors to walk alongside pregnant and new moms. Each mom and mentor talk every week and meet every month throughout the mom’s pregnancy and her child’s early years. Yes, we encourage moms who are abortion vulnerable to choose life. But our support does not stop when a baby is born. Our mentors are committed to developing long-lasting relationships with the moms they serve. Our mentors:

• are great listeners. They listen to your concerns and fears, offer nonjudgmental friendship and support, and provide insight when asked.
• teach you how to care for your baby. Taking care of newborn can be intimidating. Our mentors can teach you about baby health, safety, and wellness.
• help you support your baby’s growth and development. The first three years of a baby’s life are the most important in terms of brain development. Our mentors share activities you can do with your baby to support his or her language, emotional, social, and motor skill development.
• assist you in accessing additional resources you may need. Our mentors can help you find resources for housing, food, transportation, child care, education, job readiness programs, etc.
• share how much God loves you and your baby. Our mentors also want you to know how much God loves you and your baby, that He has a plan for your lives, and that He wants to be in relationship with you.

One by One proudly serves any mom looking for support regardless of marital status, number of children she has, socioeconomic status, or age (we do require parental consent to serve minors). If you or someone you know could benefit from having a mentor, please apply at www.onebyoneformoms.org or call us at 833.777.1153.

If you are a Christian woman looking for ways to support moms who choose life, we’d love to talk to you about becoming a mentor. We provide free training and give you all the materials you need to serve your mom. We need English and Spanish-speaking women willing to serve as in-person or virtual mentors. Worried you’re not qualified? Remember God qualifies the called! If you love the Lord, can be a friend, and can show up when you say you will, you have what it takes to be a OBO mentor. Apply today at www.onebyoneusa.org/mentor or call us at 833.777.1153.