Thursday, July 17, 2008

Is Adoption a Christian Duty????

I took this link off of a website of an internet friend that I have met through our adoption process. She is getting ready to pick up her beautiful 7 year old daughter in just a few short weeks from the same orphanage in China that Annabel is from. I have watched God perform miracle after miracle in her adoption and it is clear that her family is doing exactly what God has called them to do. I watched the video and could not help but think..."What would happen if every single church in America played this video for their congregation??" Who might God use to help these children find homes with families who will love and appreciate them and share God's love and promise of eternal life. I shutter to think about what would happen in Annabel's life had she not been adopted. She would have spent 14 years in an orphange only to be put out on the streets to fend for herself at the age of 14. Can you imagine??? 14!!!So take a couple of minutes to watch it. I believe God is using this organization to speak to the Christian world about one of His most precious commands. He instructs us to take care of the widows and orphans. Is everyone meant to adopt? No, of course not. But I do believe that everyone can get involved in some way to help make a difference in the life of another. I was thinking about my day yesterday. I attended a memorial service for a sweet older woman from our church who passed away last week. She left behind children and grandchildren who told wonderful stories of what a wonderful woman she was. Her foster daughter stood up and said it didn't matter that she wasn't born from her body...she was her mom and loved her very much. We heard people in our congregation tell of the wonderful things she did to bless them as well. She made a difference in her life. She made her life count. It was evident by the packed parking lot and full church. She had many many friends who cared so much about her. It made me wonder, when I die what will my life have meant to those around me? I want it to count for something. If I died tomorrow and the most significant thing I did was be a great wife and mother to my kids and help bring a child out of poverty and loneliness into a home filled with love and a future with God...well then I lived a very rich life. But I am in no way done. I have a lot left to do on this earth before I leave. I pray God keeps me around here for a few more years. Obviously I am not the one in control of that matter. I trust God knows what He is doing. He always does. Mark and I have already made a promise to God. We will help to bring home as many children as He gives us the health and provisions to do so. Whether they be our children or we have the privledge of assisting other families walk through the process. I don't know what plan God has in store for us in the future. But we trust that He has a plan already mapped out for us. We just have to listen and be faithful. Except for the birth of Amber and Joey, there has been no greater joy then adopting Annabel. Our house is noisier and crazier then ever, but we wouldn't change it for anything in the world. The funny thing about adoption is you might go into thinking you are going to really bless another child. In reality we are the ones who have been blessed beyond measure. Isn't it just like our amazing God to go and do a thing like that? Enjoy!!
https://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/382078.aspx