God’s Heart for Adoption
I first thought about adoption around 1999 when I was reading an article about orphanages in China filled with baby girls. At the time, John and I had three young kids ages 10, 7, and 5. Around that time I had also just gotten my first book contract.
I talked to John about adopting an orphan, but he didn’t think it was a good idea. The idea of adding more kids into our chaotic life wasn’t appealing to him. Not to mention the cost, which was $20,000+. Oh, and I should mention my propensity to take on more than I can chew. One of John’s roles in life is to protect me from my good intentions.
Years later the kids grew up, and John was the one to bring up the idea of adoption with me. I jumped on the chance. I was SO excited about adopting a baby girl from China, but just as we turned in our paperwork, in 2008, things changed. They slowed down the number of adoptions. It looked like a 4-5 year process. I was heartbroken.
God’s Heart for Adoption
I clearly remember one day when I was crying out to God, “Why did you even put this on my heart if it’s not going to happen?” (And by “happen” I meant in the way I wanted, with the beautiful, Chinese baby girl that I imagined.)
I mentioned children from the Heart Gallery a few times in passing, but I didn’t think much more about it until I read a book called Kisses for Katie. It was about a young woman who adopted thirteen children in Uganda. I read the book on the way to a MomLife retreat, and I was moved.
I felt God speaking to me, “If she can adopt thirteen children in a third-world country, can’t you open your home to a few more?” That night I asked a few friends to pray that John’s heart would be open to adopting from the foster care system.
Later, when I called home, these were the first words out of John’s mouth, “Did you know that adopting from the foster care system is free?” As I heard my husband’s words, my faith grew. Adoption wasn’t “my” thing that I needed to “talk my husband into.” Adoption was on God’s heart. God’s Heart for Adoption was penetrating John’s heart.
There is no doubt in my mind that adoption is on the heart of God. In Ephesians 1:5 the Bible says,
“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will . . . “
God sees us all as worthy and gave His son that we might be adopted into His family. In Psalms 68:5-6a it says,
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…”
God’s heart is to heal and restore. His desire is to show His love to this world through us. The adoption story is the story of all who have come to know Christ and become part of the family of God.
Maybe adoption has been on your mind as well, but you have questions. How can we manage the financial component of adoption? What would the process look like? Are we enough to help a child in need of a family? Believe me, everyone has asked the hard questions. And for good reason–adoption is a commitment to be a forever family.
But don’t be afraid. There are answers. And I know that God will guide your decisions and your family as you seek His will for adopting. And there is a place to get many of your questions answered–the Adoption Summit. It’s completely online and a perfect way to access the information you need to make any decision regarding adoption.
As an adoptive mom, I know how important it is to be as prepared as you possibly can. The Adoption Summit is a great opportunity for you to take the next step and learn more about adoption. And right now you can get a FREE ticket here: www.adoptionsummit.com
For more posts and information on adoption, check out my adoption directory!
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