So my wife and I filled out a first round of adoption papers this week. We realized just how strange adoption is; being given the options to pick and choose just what kind of child you would like your hard earned money to go towards....very strange. As we get into this it is hard for me to not see this system as just a legal form of human trafficking. But that is another blog possibly....
Letting people know that we are beginning this process causes all kinds of reactions. People react in different ways; happy, congratulatory, concerned, inspired. I want to talk about that last one on this post. Inspired.
Inspiration without destination is just constipation.
Inspiration without moving forward on it is empty...of no real value at all. I was there for a long time. I was inspired to adopt. I admired people who had adopted children. But it never really was something that I took initiative to do anything about until I came to terms with the 'why'.
Why adopt?
Here's the part where you are free to disagree with me, but hear me out and consider that this may be the missing piece of the puzzle for you as well. I guess for some, they hear from God on adoption and are 100% sure that is what God wants them to do so they are obedient to that. That's not me. I'm almost never 100% sure on anything. Just being honest! While I cant be 100% sure on God's voice, I can be 100% sure about God's character. I don't know for a fact that I have heard God's voice clearly to adopt. What I am 100% sure of is that it is God's character to do it. As a Christ follower I am to be a reflection of God's character. A dim one at best but a reflection. When you reflect God's character you don't have to be all that concerned with obedience because you know that you are acting in line with who God is rather that what you think He might be saying.
Theologically speaking (if you need it), God exists for His own glory. Our very existence as humans is to reflect God's own image back to Him so that he is glorified. If through scripture it is shown that part of God's character is to care and protect the orphan, which it is....then when we reflect that character by doing the same we bring glory to God. Thats all I am trying to do. I hope that the decisions you will make are not ones made from a 'feeling' or even a percieved 'calling' but out of a desire to reflect the character of God.
Thoughts appreciated.
3 comments:
I love this post! What better reflection of the character of God than to adopt a child into your family (as He has done with us)? It was thought-provoking to me. Especially the "inspiration without..." quote. Thank you.
Love this! And I'm looking forward to seeing the process unfold for you, Carrie and the girls. Hopefully someday I'll get to adopt, so it's always fascinating to see and hear about the process for others.
I appreciate your heart- and the fact that you are so honest. Often times, a step like this, especially coming from people in leadership, can cause all kinds of ripples among followers, both good and bad, and I appreciate your willingness to address that... and to take the "you" out of the equation... if people are inspired to adopt because you have begun the process, but never move, were they really inspired? Or, are they moving to reflect your actions, to be like you and your family, or are they attempting to reflect God's heart; an important factor in making a life altering decision.
Adopting a child is not like adopting a pet- though they both come with a painful past, and can both be challenging, with a child the decision is lifelong. Therefore, the decision should be made with the right support, the right intentions, and a love for God. You guys have all of that, and I am so excited for this stage in your lives!
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