This morning as I was driving to work I was praying about our adoption. I was praying that God would continue to change me. To take me outside of my comfort zone; to make me His hands and feet. I don’t want to go through this process and not be changed – I honestly don’t think that’s an option.
I still get a little overwhelmed sometimes about the amount of money we still need to raise in order to fund this adoption. We just turned in our first application and we are still thousands of dollars away from our goal. I know that God will provide the resources. He equips those He has called. I know He has called John and me for this journey. It’s just that our human minds can’t comprehend how we will come up with the rest of the money.
This morning while I was praying, emotion just overcame me. With tears streaming down my face, I prayed “God, I think it pretty much sucks that such a big sum of money stands in the way of so many children having families.”
I am so glad I can be honest with God. I think the emotions behind that prayer stemmed from a story I read yesterday. Once again, I was reminded that I live in a world where so many people are in need of food, clothes, love, hope and, more than anything, Jesus.
I sat at my desk yesterday with a big lump in my throat, choking back tears. I read about this family from Texas, who recently moved to Haiti. They have sacrificed comfort and the American Dream, to reach out and help people in desperate need.
The family shared a story on their blog about a Haitian woman who begged and pleaded with them to take her four week old baby because she couldn’t care for it. Because of strict Haitian adoption laws, the family couldn’t take the baby and she ended up in an orphanage.
The family went to visit the orphanage where the baby was taken and found her lying on a dirt floor, sucking her fingers trying to soothe herself, with tears rolling down her cheeks. She was covered in spit up. They had posted a picture of the little girl on their blog.
Her eyes were filled with so much sadness that my heart just broke in two. I ache at the thought of a little baby in Ethiopia yearning for someone to love them. That baby in the photo could have been or could be our baby. The day when John and I bring our baby home, can’t get here soon enough.
To quote the family in Haiti: "While many American churches are worrying about the lighting on their stage, or fussing over the displays in their foyer, children are suffering in orphanages, groaning….aching….for someone to come redeem their lives.”
I realize that not everyone is called to adopt a child. But I think as Christians, we are called to do something. We aren’t supposed to turn our heads, close our eyes and forget. What will you do to help a child in need? What will you do to make sure people hear the good news of Jesus Christ?
The answer really isn’t that hard. It’s as easy as saying a prayer. It’s as easy as giving up a Starbucks coffee each day (or for me a Dr Pepper). I know of several families right now who are trying to come up with the funds to bring home their babies. Please pray for them. Please consider donating to their adoption. You can find out more about them on the following blogs.
http://ourtreeofhope.blogspot.com
http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com
http://expecting-from-ethiopia.blogspot.com
Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know and holds us responsible to act...
Proverbs 24:12
What a powerful msg! Thank you for reminding me of so many important things!
ReplyDeleteWe need to get together for dinner sometime soon!
Thank you for including a link to our blog! ;)Kathleen