To all couples considering adoption:
I am 23 years old and single, with zero
prospects for having children any time soon. I realize that I can in no way
relate to the struggles facing a married couple, especially those with children
or considering adoption. However, my sister and brother are both preparing to
begin the process of adoption, and have had the call to adopt placed in their
hearts for quite some time. Throughout this journey, they have both told me of
the attack that comes as soon as a couple begins opening themselves up to the
possibility of adoption. Attacks from family and friends, knowingly and
unknowingly given. Attacks of doubt. Attacks on finances. Attacks on parenting
skills. Attacks on faith. Attacks on marriage. Apparently it comes from all
sides. Because the truth is, the enemy doesn’t want you to adopt.
Caring for widows and orphans is a direct
command from the Lord, and the enemy will do everything in his power to keep
you from obedience. Now that you’ve opened up your hearts and homes to the
possibility, you are going to get direct opposition. Consider the attacks as an
assurance that you are doing exactly what the Lord is telling you to do,
otherwise the enemy wouldn’t bother with you.
If you are on the path towards adoption,
you don’t need me to tell you all this. You already know it, and are probably
living through it right now. My whole
purpose in writing this, is simply to encourage you. Please, please don’t be discouraged! Don’t let the world or
the enemy win here. When you feel attacked, run directly into the arms of the
Lord, and He will not let you be overwhelmed. Please don’t give up! Keep
your eyes focused on the Lord, not on the waters raging around you, and you
will walk on the waves of the storm. The moment you take your eyes off of Him
and focus on the wind and waves, you will sink.
Please, please don’t be discouraged.
These last few weeks, my team and I have
had the opportunity to visit an orphanage here in Sumbawanga, Tanzania. The
three days we spent with those kids have been some of the best days on this
whole journey. Within 30 seconds of walking in the gate, we all had kids in our
arms. Kids here in Tanzania have never greeted us like that– they are
usually very standoffish for a while until they warm up to you. But from the
moment we arrived, the kids in this orphanage were hugging us, holding their
chubby little arms up to be picked up, and literally running to us with open
arms. When we pick them up, they cling to us. The little ones alternate between
just staring at us, fascinated, and laying their heads on our chests and just
resting. The older ones beckon to be chased and spun around. Any time we sit
down, at least three of them crawl up onto our laps.
These kids are desperate for love.
They are clothed, well-fed, and have warm beds to sleep in every night, but it
is absolutely not enough. The women who work there are occupied with
cleaning, cooking, and washing– they’re there for maintenance, not for love.
We rarely saw the kids get any kind of interaction– they mostly run rampant
around the courtyard of the orphanage and outside the gate. They just don’t get
attention, and they are starving for it.
So if you are facing the battles that
come with adoption, I am begging you not to give up. For their sake. They need
you. Do not let the enemy distract you with doubts. If you are unsure
about finances or if the enemy has gotten you to doubt your parenting skills,
tell him to shut the hell up. These kids don’t need the perfect parent. They
don’t need their own bedroom or a bigger house. They need your love.
They need someone to show them that they are wanted and precious. They need
someone to be Jesus’ hands and feet. They need someone to follow His call to
care for them.
I realize that I can’t understand all the
pressures and difficulties surrounding you. I’m not saying you can’t have bad
days. I am just begging you not to give up, to not give in to the lies. Look to
the Lord for strength and let Him steady you. And just think about the kids
that He has picked out for you, and how much they need you–in all your
imperfections–to show them the love of the Lord.
I am so, so thankful for people like you, that you are
willing to open up your hearts and homes to the Lord and these kids. You are a
HUGE inspiration to the people around you. This is such a huge step of faith!
If you’re reading this and you know someone who is considering adoption, give them
all the encouragement you possibly can! This is an absolutely huge undertaking,
and they need to be lifted up in encouragement and prayer on a daily basis.
Father thank You so much for these
couples, and for the call You’ve placed on their lives. Please just overwhelm
them with Your blessing and provision. Give them strength to weather the
storms, to fight these battles. Give them focus. Give them encouragement. Give
them wisdom and discernment for the direction You’re leading them. Give them a
picture of their future family, and break their hearts for the children You
have planned for them.
Lord I lift up these precious kids all
around the world. Thank You for how much You love them. Please allow them to be
fully aware of Your love, so that they will be whole and completely fulfilled
in You and Your attentions to them. Wrap them in Your arms every night, and
whisper to them how much You love them. Let them be completely assured of Your
care. Protect them from feeling unseen or unwanted. Thank You so much that You
love them more than we ever could.
“When you pass through the
waters, I will be with you.
And when you cross through the
rivers, you will not be overwhelmed,
the waters will not sweep you
away.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you
ablaze.
For I am the Lord, Your God, the
Holy One of Israel,
Your Savior.”
