In 2013, Molly Anne Dutton was crowned Auburn University’s 100th Homecoming Queen.

The horticulture major from Gardendale had joined four other finalists in announcing their campaigns to benefit special causes.  Molly Ann Dutton wanted her campaign to benefit the “Safe Harbor” center, which focuses on prevention of sexual assault, as well as providing support and counseling to survivors.

Dutton’s life story also inspired an adoption awareness campaign called “Light Up LIFE with Molly Ann Dutton!” to benefit Lifeline Adoption Agency in Birmingham, Alabama.  According to published news articles, Dutton’s biological mother was the victim of a sexual assault.

Finding herself pregnant as a result of the attack, her mother’s husband demanded that his wife abort the child or face divorce.  Molly’s mother chose life for her baby and placed her with an adoption agency. Molly is the youngest of six children, four of whom were adopted.

Dutton wrote, “Resources like Lifeline Adoption Agency provided my mother support after such a devastating altercation.  Not only did it provide her light in the darkness, but it also provided me a life to live.  Please help me bring awareness by supporting me!”

“Lifeline Children’s Services is a full-service adoption and orphan care ministry, serving families and children in the United States and around the globe.”  Lifeline helps women by caring for them through unplanned or crisis pregnancies.

Dutton stated in an interview six years ago, “Because that resource was made available to my mother, she decided to give birth to me. And here I am talking to you guys 22 years later.” Her initial goal was to educate her fellow students about the resources available to them.  Molly also said sharing her life story gives “a voice for the voiceless.”

I once read a book about the life of Ethel Waters, a talented singer and actress who appeared in Broadway plays and Hollywood movies.  In her later years, she often sang at Billy Graham Crusades. Her life story includes the tragic fact that she was conceived as a result of a sexual assault when her mother was a young teenager.  Despite the circumstances of her birth, Ethel Waters rose to stardom and blessed millions with her voice.

Every life, both born and unborn, is precious.  Adoption is a viable option.  Adoption is a picture of the Gospel message, which declares that we can be adopted into the family of God.

The Apostle Paul writes that Jesus was born and died “to redeem us that we might receive the adoption” as his sons and daughters (Galatians 4:4-6).  We can be born again into the family of God through Christ’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. 

Deuteronomy 30:19 reads, “I have set before you life and death…therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”  Molly Ann Dutton’s biological mother chose life under tragic circumstances, so her daughter can celebrate LIFE!

Jan White is a national award-winning religion columnist. She can be reached at jan@janwhitewriter.com