what is adoption?

"Adoption is not about finding children for families, it's about finding families for children." Joyce Maguire Pavao  

I dont know about you but I was adopted into a family, a family of misfits and outcasts, people who just cant get it right sometimes...the family of christians. A place of healing, grace, growing and love. And that is what I believe children of adoptoin need, a family for this.

“Adoption comes from the heart, but the adoption process comes from the Law. You should follow your heart, but be sure you also follow the law.” ~ Irina O’Rear....just for fun.
 

Just yesterday one of the elderly widows who lives in our building, asked me how the adoption was going, as we passed on the stairs. She then went on to remind me that she doesn't like adoption, its too hard and you do not know the kids. That she prefers pregnancy. I kindly said, "Je comprend, J'accord" I understand and agree. Because I do. It's not how God created it to be. I told her that I did not like the thought of children being in an orphanage, and that we felt compelled to do something, no matter how small it seem to be. But that was about as far as my french would let me go. What I wanted to say is that these children deserve to know that there is something bigger to this world,  and that they do have a father in Heaven, that promises he will set things right one day. I believe in the mean time He wants us to be His Hands and feet.

Later on, I thought about her life, what it was like growing up on such a small island and raising a family, probably without television/news and no internet. It probably is bizarre to her that we would desire this route. The new is scary and unknown. We live in a world where if we if we think we can not handle it; Then Trust Your Heart. Or if you do not know how to go about it; Choose the is an easier. Or we too easily write it off. But in our day and time, with internet and statistics at our fingers, its hard to ignore. I am not just talking about the orphan statistic but any and all the injustices around us. Whatever it is that we are aware of but push aside so it doesn't interrupt our normal, routine, planned- out life. And 'it' truly is for me, becoming harder to ignore. No matter how many justifications we give ourselves or how many things we try and fill up our time to avoid 'it'. I have seen too often that the 'other way' is what produces true genuine joy that you just cant get enough of. The way that doesnt seem right to our human instincts or doesn't culturally fit. It's can be amazing that we live in a country where we can know a need on the other side of the world as well as the local needs. And it's pretty cool that we can read about the needs from our own homes and then actually do something to make a big impact....and it's cool how it looks different for every family. And for us, God lead us to Adoption. I Hope again! Through our short journey this far, we have been blessed to see the resemblance in our own adoption in the family of Christ. And how much we need a savior in our lives and in this world. Lord, Please keep me from myself and allow me to continue on this journey with you...no matter where you take us next. After all you did write that you know our hearts,

The Message Proverbs 24:12;  

Rescue the perishing;
   don't hesitate to step in and help.
If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business,"
   will that get you off the hook?
Someone is watching you closely, you know—
   Someone not impressed with weak excuses.