On Adoption

"I'd really like to adopt one day."

When Josh said those words to me, my dream of one day adopting a child moved [in my mind] from ENFP la-la world to the real world. And my heart soared.

Honestly, babies are hard. The fresh out of the womb, loved and cared for from the moment they get here kind. I cannot imagine the hardships that come with an adopted child who bears the scars of being unloved and feeling unlovable. I cannot imagine, but my heart longs to find out.

In honor of Orphan Sunday, I want to admit that I am taking the first steps. I started a board on Pinterest a few days ago to house helpful articles/links about adoption. {I admit to you that I know next to nothing about adopting.} I have also begun praying for the child/children God may one day have for us.

This dream is one that totally overwhelms me (and just honestly scares the crap out of me), but it feels good to share it with others.

I also want to share a couple of other things.

1. A number. I just read that there are an estimated 163 million children who lack a family or a place to call home. Wow.

2. A truth. James 1:27: "Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress ... "

I hope that you'll join me in really wrestling with this word today. How in the world does God want me to take part in looking after orphans [and widows] in the midst of their hardship and suffering?

If anyone has any fun applications (that you're currently practicing/want to carry out in your own life), leave them in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you. [Follow this link for information about a giving opportunity.]

Father, I thank you today that you are the perfect Father. Thank you that we can trust you completely with all of your children, and that you are never far from any of us. I thank you for orphans, Father. Thank you for the opportunity that you have given your Bride, to love and care for these that we may point them to Jesus. I ask that you would give us your energy to invest in the lives of these children. I ask that you would set apart and call forth laborers who will labor in love by accepting a child or children into their own families (like you've done for us through Christ). 

I pray, Father, that you would give Josh and I wisdom as we consider growing our own family through adoption. I ask that we will participate in your perfect timing. There are so many needs RIGHT. NOW. but I pray for the child/children that you have for us {wherever/whenever they may be}. I pray that you will draw them to Jesus, Father, and enable them to feel the security and peace that comes only from your love. 

I also thank you for children in general, for the gift that they are, for the example of simple faith and trust that they set. Thank you for our John. I pray that you would strengthen us to show him tireless love each day, that he would know by our love that he is infinitely valuable, that he would experience a small taste of your love through us. I ask for these blessings in Jesus's name.