Adoption Article

Last Friday the MOPS group I attend had guests speak about adoption.  Their testimony was nourishment for my soul!  It is amazing to see how God's hand is at work!  I was asked to write an article for the MOPS newsletter.  It has a little bit of our adoption story.  Don't worry, the full story will be coming, so stay tuned!  In the meantime, here is my article.  Enjoy!

When I think of the word “adoption,” a picture comes to mind.  A picture of my son wearing a navy shirt and red shorts.  My Chinese son.  He is waiting.  Waiting to join our family through the miracle of adoption. 

It amazes me how God softened my heart to the cry of the orphan.  It was in March 2012 that I was changed forever.  My life was comfortable.  I had a wonderful husband and two beautiful kids.  A son and a daughter.  I had the “perfect” family according to many I talked to.  I had no idea what God had in store for our family!  Who does?!  He works in unexplainable, amazing ways. 

Some people ask me why we have chosen to adopt.  They do not understand why we need “more kids.”  “Don’t you have two kids?!”  The answer is God.  It is quite simple.  God’s Word, The Holy Bible, commands us to care for the orphan.  James 1:27 says “Religion that is pure and undefiled is this: to visit widows and orphans in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”   I am not saying that everyone is called to adoption.  You can care for the orphan in many ways: adoption, foster care, child sponsorship, supporting other adoptive families, orphan care ministries, or short term mission teams, and through prayer.

Our adoption journey has just begun.  We are up to our knees in paperwork, interviews, and education.  There may be a lot of unknowns with the process, but one thing is true.  God’s hand is in all that we do.  We could never orchestrate this journey ourselves.  We know that He is in control and He will be glorified.

When I reflect on where our family is right now, I am reminded that not too long ago I was adopted.  I was not an orphan in the sense that I have earthly parents.  I was without the one and only Father who gifted me with eternal life.  I am grateful that I was saved and adopted as a child of God. 

“In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” Ephesians 1:5-10.

Are you adopted?  Can you be called a child of God?  Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son whom He sent to take the wrath for your sins?  Do you know how to have eternal life?  If not, I encourage you to speak to your DGL, mentor or leadership mom.  You too can be blessed through the miracle of adoption!