Here is a bit of what has been on my heart lately. It has to do with these statements that I hear quite often from people once they know that we have adopted.
"We've thought about adopting."
"I've always wanted to adopt."
"Oh, I would have loved to have adopted."
The first response that pops into my head but I don't think I've ever voiced is, "And..."
Here is my heartfelt concern with those statements: Did they miss it? Was the Lord calling them to adopt with that "thought" or "desire" and they missed it? Did the idea of adoption come into their mind and back out with all the other zillions of "what ifs" and "if onlys".
The bottom line for me is that adoption is too big of an idea to just let hang. Don't put it up with the "maybe one day I'll start my own business, buy a vacation home, travel overseas, etc."
Be sure. Pursue the Lord. Seriously pray and ask Him if He would have your family to adopt. I don't think His answer is a yes to everyone, but it might be for you and your family. If His answer is no, close the door on it at least for a time and find other ways to help the orphan, but be willing to reopen it if He moves you to.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Great word Kelly! My husband and small group have talked about that recently. God calls us to take care of the fatherless (James 1:27, Is 1:16-17). If adoption is something we've thought of, why don't we act on that instead of asking God if we should... He has already told us through His word that we should! My husband is ready a good book called Just Do Something that touches on similar concepts.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I have so many people that look at me funny when I say we're adopting. They laugh for a minute, and then realize I'm serious. Then it's usually followed with a "That would be nice..." or a "I would love to do that..." It's like it's not real! Like they just see it on TV, and don't realize that PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO IT! Haha! I'm slowly learning not to take the funny looks and odd comments personally. I'm learning that more than likely, these people think what we're doing is a great thing...they just haven't met many people that have seriously listened when God said "ADOPT!" and actually done it!
ReplyDeleteLove this, thank you for posting it. If everyone who thought about adoption did it...I bet there would not be 147+ million orphans!
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Future Mama
http://expectingablessing.blogspot.com/
So true...but adoption is so difficult, emotionally, financially, and I believe many think it is a *noble cause*. Few want to take that "risk". To them there are too many what-ifs. They've missed out on a blessing!
ReplyDeleteHello, I come to you with another heartfelt prayer request on behalf of my friends:http://www.drawnfromwater.org/blog
ReplyDeleteThey run an orphanage in Ethiopia, and things have been getting tough, considering all the commotion there lately (regarding the orphans).
Please say a prayer or two on their behalf. Thank you. Love =)
Kelly, some days I stop and think "Wow! We're doing this" For years it was something I wanted to do someday. We did pray about it (very seriously for 2 years to the month before writing that first check). ;) Our concerns were timeline (OK, still a concern) and finances. God has fully provided all we need! He is awesome! He will also work out the details of our lives so that our child can come home in His perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteWe get comments like that too, but since we haven't adopted yet people feel free to tell us about all the people they know who have adopted and how bad their experiences have been. Almost like they are trying to persuade us not to adopt or something...it's very strange.
ReplyDeleteExcuses are satan's playground! There will always be something- needing more money, more space, right after ___.... Excuses never end! I speak from experience!
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