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| Consider Adoption |
Have
you ever pondered about adoption? Maybe you’ve heard glorious adoption stories
and heart-wrenching ones. Every child is a gift from God. Sometimes that gift
comes in unexpected ways. Here are glimpses of three miraculous gifts.
One
couple devoted several years to fertility doctors before they turned to foster
parenting, with hopes of adopting. They were in a special foster-to-adopt
program but there were no guarantees. Their minds understood, but their hearts
did not. Falling in love with the first
child they fostered, their hearts were shattered when eventually a relative
adopted the child. Bracing themselves they fostered two more. Those also later returned
to their homes.
Wondering
if they heard God’s call correctly, the couple again prayed for direction. A
phone call came asking if they would care for the baby of a cocaine addict. There
was only one thing they knew to do. They loved and nurtured the baby. For
however long God placed this child in their care, they planned to give their
best. Three years later, the couple ecstatically adopted this baby into their
permanent family.
A second
couple had three biological teenagers. No more children were in the plan. When
one of the husband’s relatives chose a lifestyle of drugs over parenting, she
left a five-year-old child stranded without a parent. After much prayer, the
couple stepped up and welcomed the child into their family through
adoption. Unexpected joys and adventures
have filled their home.A third couple had two young, biological children. Their hearts ached for one more baby but a serious health condition prevented further pregnancies. Thankful and blessed to have the two children, they tried to move forward but the tug on their hearts pulled stronger. One of the children began to pray for a baby through adoption. Then they all prayed and finally they began the process with an adoption agency. They struggled with guilt because so many couples wanted to adopt—couples who had no children. Who were they to ask for a child when they already had two? But sensing God’s will they moved forward.
After
awhile, they received a call. A birthmother wasconsidering their family for her child. The family shouted with excitement!
Two weeks later another call came. Plans were underway for other relatives to adopt the child. Disappointments rippled over the next two years. The home study expired and so this family also prayed for God’s direction. They decided to renew their home study.
Two months later, a birthmother chose their
family for her infant. She knew adoption was expensive and some people are only
able to adopt once. She wanted to make sure her child had siblings as well as
godly parents. She continues to say the family was an answer to her prayers. The
family insists the birthmother was the answer to theirs. Blessings abound.
Three,
true adoption stories—not one of them came without some heartache. All of them
required prayer and perseverance. Many people shy away from adoption for fear
of the unknown. Not one child, adopted or biological, comes into this world
with any guarantees. In fact, we are all flawed. Aren’t you thankful God loves
us as we are and is willing to adopt us into his forever family? I am!
Pray
about it. If not adoption, perhaps there is a child who desperately needs you
as a friend and mentor. Think about the adults who made a positive impact in
your life. A child somewhere needs you to guide and
nurture them. It could make a monumental difference in their lives.
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And now to announce the winner of our
Tree-Climbing Photo Contest! Thanks to all those who entered! I received
many wonderful photos. The name drawn was Jonathan W.! He received a
Wilson soccer ball and orange cones. Congratulations and have fun Jonathan!
To see more of the tree-climbers' photos go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sally-Matheny-Encourager-Writer-Speaker/330720517002724
