Adoption on the Brain

It was a family of seven.  Five children under the age of nine.  Three white skinned brunettes, identical to mom and dad.  Two chocolate skinned curly haired brunettes, called brother and son.  They were a family.  All seven of them.  As I watched them in the pool lobby, it spoke deep into my heart.  Something about it was beautiful.  Glorious.  I couldn't stop thinking on the beauty, the family.

Two days later, a facebook post from our pastor.  "There's an adoption seminar at such and such church this Saturday at 10.  For anyone who might be interested or wants to learn more."  I had to go.  There was no getting around this being coincidence.  I talked with Mark, we had spoken of adoption before.  Not extensively, but we were certainly open to the idea.  We walked ourselves into the church room.  Probably 20 other people there.  We sat, we listened, we watched, we were moved.  This seminar was specifically about adopting from the foster care system.  This idea never occurred to me.  We listened to stories of children in their childhood being awfully or horribly abused.  After years the police would come to take them away and place them, apart from their siblings, in foster homes.  Then they were told there was a family.  A family who wanted to adopt all of the siblings together.  They met the parents, the played with them, they talked with them.  They felt safe.  They felt loved.  They were secure in the arms and the home of their new home, their adopted parents.

Absolutely beautiful.  Not without challenges and difficulties, to be sure.  But to wrap the arms of Christ around these children who otherwise would have never known, beautiful.  Children who are now in their mid-twenties, following and serving the Lord, and so deeply grateful for the things they were saved from.

When we heard of the statistics it was overwhelming.  30,000 children in Canada alone, waiting to be adopted.  When we heard the financial cost anywhere from $50 to $350, how could we not be open to being the physical arms of Jesus?  To influence and love and raise even ONE child.  To think of one family in each church did that.  How many children would be left family-less come age 18?

Our hearts are stirred.  Not that it will be anytime soon.  Not that we have it all figured out.  Not saying it will be domestic or international.  We have no idea when or how or if... but we are excited about what the Lord is stirring in us.  These are exciting times and we want to be open to the things He has called us to.

I'll end with this verse that keeps percolating in my mind, "Learn to do good.  Seek justice.  Help the oppressed.  Defend the cause of orphans.  Fight for the rights of widows."  Just think, taking even just one child in, raising them and loving them like Jesus.  What a difference it could make.

Our God is Able

Last Thursday and Friday I spent at a Leadership Conference.  I was challenged, I was encouraged, I was inspired, I am reignited.  Spending two days listening to the God-stories, God-dreams that have been birthed because His people were faithful to listen and to act... I cannot help but be challenged.

One woman, a lawyer in her East Indian home.  She grew up claiming she would never follow the God her parents were devoted to.  But after years of rebellion, the Lord spoke to her and gave her Isaiah 42 as her mission.  She now risks her life working with government officials to lead trafficking raids.  Because of God's work in and through her, she has helped lead 4000 men, women and children to freedom.  Amazing.  Only by God's incredible grace and power.

One young man, a Harvard and Oxford graduate, can't be more than early 30's.  He has started two huge organizations (which were originally began when he was 15 and his brother was 12) to free trafficked children overseas, and to equip Canadian, American and English youth to be a part in bringing freedom worldwide.  Amazing.

I challenged to listen to the Father's voice, to realize the God-dreams that stir within me... some from years ago and some more recent.  I am challenged to ask, "God, what do you want me to do?"  And I am challenged to respond.

I was once told, "Amy, do something so big (for God) that there is NO way you could do it unless God shows up."  So true.  And yet how often do I actually live like that?  This song is so fitting, and such an awesome reminder that our God is able, He is strong, He is for us and He has called us.  What a joy to cling to truth that He uses weak vessels like us, to do big things for His Kingdom.  Amazing.