"...orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes."
And so you see...I am having a hard time ignoring the 147 million orphans because now they all have Lindsey's smile. They all love pizza, splash in the bath, cuddle with their bunny, call me "my mom", and giggle a giggle that makes me melt! They are an affectionate daughter and silly sister! They are REAL. And unlike Lindsey that have no one--hear that--no one! They live everyday, like the one before, without a family. Why is that? How can there be so many, more than 147 million, great families and they have none? Why does it seem so out-of-the-ordinary for families to be welcoming them home?
Why are adoptive families a minority and not the majority?
Kelly, thanks for commenting about our blog title. Once our eyes were opened to what a privilege it is to adopt, and how CLEAR of a picture it is as a reflection of the gospel, and how we are ALL called to care for the orphans... how can we not say YES to adoption??
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ReplyDeleteI LOVE this!! And it is so true. Once you see them as REAL children it is impossible to look away. I just wish we could save them all...
ReplyDeleteLove that quote in Radical...just read that the other day! And I love this post! Praying adoptive families end up being the majority very soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat post..... Sometimes i feel like im on an island..... adoption is not the norm in these parts. in fact the only people i know that have adopted did so as a result of infertility rather than a call to gospel. Still awesome but they keep their adoptions on the dl and are not wrapped in orphan care like my crazy self. Sooo wish adoption was the majority! Especially in my huge church....
ReplyDeleteI feel the exact same way as The Siler Family. I really can't wrap my mind around the church not doing more for orphans.
ReplyDeleteOh and I wanted to let you know that I will not find out about the photo contest until October... it seems so far away!
AND... I am going to do a give-a-way of the other tote bag I got from you(probably next week). I planned on doing it a while ago, but it has been a busy summer! I really hope you get some sales from me doing the contest. At least that is my goal! Take care.
You hit the nail on the head. This journey of adoption (especially special need's adoption for us) has been so life transforming and so awesome that I just don't get why more wouldn't want to try it. It's like crack! I could have 12 kiddos and still want more. (and I already have 6 trying for 7!)
ReplyDeletePS-DH jsut love his t-shirt! Just noticed that he's wearing it in the my most recent blogpost. (http://nancyvnjourney.blogspot.com/2010/08/learning-is-treasure-that-will-follow.html)
He's excited for the other one to come! Thx again!
Thanks for the comment on my blog, Kelly. I loved reading about this post...lately I have heard so many negative voices about adoption (even within the adoption community) and it is an encouragement to to hear someone else saying that this is a good thing - a good thing that more of us should open our hearts to. I have been home 2 months and can't get the faces of those we left behind out of my head. It is a drop in the bucket, but it IS ONE LESS! Thanks for the encouragement!!!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog from Tisha's. This is so true! We're waiting for travel arrangements to pick up our two precious little ones in Africa! (We have three bio children and this is our first adoption!) God has opened my eyes to so much and is changing my hearts in amazing ways. I can only imagine what it will be like to be in Africa and play with and hold not only my children, but the ones who remain. Thanks for speaking out!!
ReplyDeleteHi there! I saw your comment on my blog and had to pop over and see who you were! Love this post - LOVE IT! Truly, I think I have said those same words in a different way to many people since coming home from Ethiopia. Just got the Radical book in the mail on Thursday and can't wait to have a few hours to dive into it. You have a beautiful family!!!
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