When is a good time?

Today I had a wonderful talk with a friend I have known for years. Her family is making some huge decisions as to what the Lord may have for them in the future.
They are praying about the possibility of adoption.

Many families are praying about adoption right now. My heart could not be more happy. I would love for more and more families to open their homes. We prayed about our decision to adopt for a long time. We know (James 1:27) that God wants us all to care for widows and orphans in some way. However, I also believe not all are called to adopt. We prayed about whether our calling was actual adoption or adoption support (both very important roles).

When a family announces an adoption, there are many reactions. I don't know if because you chose to adopt people feel free to give opinions. When I was pregnant with my sons, no one tried to talk me out of it. I think we view one as "you are in it now" and the other as "you chose this". However, I don't feel like I chose adoption.

Funny, huh?

As we prayed and His will for us to adopt became clear, my head and my heart played tricks on me. Why adopt? I would have 2 kids in school and a full day to get things done. Our life was relatively easy with 2 kids. We fit in our house and had a play room. I did not have to worry about what people thought of us as we were all one color. I received adoring nods and little sweet comments about how being a mom of 2 boys must be the best ever. I could handle the laundry for 4 people. My house was pretty clean. My van had a large back area to carry my Goodwill purchases in it from day to day. We had no one in diapers. Need I go on?

However, the Lord revealed to us that our OK was not His OK. Even though we seemingly were coasting through life, it seemed as though something was missing. It seemed as though we were missing the point. We had to surrender our OK for it was not part of His plan for our family.

And then the earthquake hit in Haiti.

I could not sleep at night. It was a strange stirring in my heart that I could not explain. I had never been to Haiti. Ever. My heart ached for the people of Haiti and especially the children. One night, Trent asked me why we were waiting. Why, of course! We had not saved thousands to adopt. Were we crazy? God kept chasing and chasing us.

Through a series of events, we heard about the Democratic Republic of Congo. The stories of the plight of the Congolese people stirred my heart. In research, we had found that we would not be able to adopt from Haiti due to the fact we had children in the home (the laws have now changed). So, we prayed. We asked God if we were the support or the parents. It became clear to both of us that we had children in Congo. I will never forget signing all the paperwork and looking at Trent in disbelief. We had about $50 allotted so far. Oh yes. You read that right....$50. However, we felt strongly that God was asking for our yes. He wanted our yes.

Many families feel called to adopt but don't do it because of the opinions given by family members or close friends. I think it is important to acknowledge that those family members love you and your family very much. They want the best for you. However, they are not the choosers of the best. Does that make sense? God must speak to you about His purposes. You are the one that must answer to Him one day on how you kept His commands. And, most of all, if you are truly called to adopt or support adoption and never do then the "no" becomes sin. Scripture states that if we know what is right and choose not to do it the choice becomes sin to us.

And here was my dilemma.
I knew we were being called to adopt.
It became clear that our role was to parent children.
I knew He wanted our yes.
I knew my heart needed to surrender to His will.

So, we took the leap of faith. Ok, let me re-state. We took the jump of the cliff eyes closed step of faith. I had no idea how God was going to provide for our adoption. I started making jewelry to off set the cost. We went on a fishing trip with Trent's parents and while we were there a blogger in California featured my jewelry. When we arrived home, I came back to a full inbox and a paypal account filled with the money needed for the home study. I still get chills thinking about what God did that day.

Someday I will post the entire story of how God provided.
For now, I will say He did it.
He did it in a way I could not imagine.

My hope is that some of you may read this post and realize that God is calling you. He is calling you to either parent a child (or children) or support adoption. However, you have a million reasons why right now may not be the time. When is a good time?

I remember our adoption announcement. For the most part, things went well. For the times things did not go well, I had to remember that turning back was not an option. God was clearly calling us to step out, take Him at His word and walk. I was afraid. I will openly admit I was fearful. People told me stories of botched adoptions and horrid journeys. As a reformed back row Baptist, I had to realize that it did not matter what others around me concluded. I must live for an audience of One. It was time to be brave and live out the faith I told others was the most important part of my life.

We are 7 months into our life as a family of 6. I would say to you that these few months have not been all bunnies and rainbows. I have been afraid. I have asked hard questions of the Lord. I have grieved in ways I thought were not possible.

I have found Him to be faithful.
I have found His mercies to be new every single morning. I have realized that it is highly addicting to say yes to Christ. Yes, adoption has changed our lives. We now know the missing part. I have realized that adoption is amazing. Let me say....our girls are amazing. I have an amazing sense of the true way in which I was adopted into God's family. There are no words for His gift to our family. Our boys' faith has grown so much deeper as they have walked this journey with us.

If you are considering adoption, please know that it is a tough decision. It is not an emotional impulse but a seeking of God's will for your life. Seek guidance. Talk to other adoptive families. If needed, you can contact me. Don't let fear or worry stop you from living out God's desires for your life. Trust me....it is worth it.