Thursday, March 7, 2013

my adoption story

I read a lot of blogs/books/websites about adoption. I have family and friends who have adopted children. I believe the desire in my heart to be part of this beautiful gift has been put there by God. But then I look at my life. And I am certain that it is not for now. So, some days I question God. Why did you put this desire in my heart? It is not possible, in the life you have given me right now, for me to participate in adoption. As I question Him persistently, respectfully - truly wanting to know - to understand with my mind what purpose He would have for giving me this overwhelming desire to reach out, to help children in this world who have need, He gives me an answer. It is not the answer I expected. I half-worried that He would tell me my life needs to change so I can reach out to children in need and provide them with a home. I half-hoped that too. But I am certain He has ordered the circumstances that have me in this crazy life that is mine. So, I heard Him whisper in my ear, "Children aren't the only ones who need adopting!" At first, I didn't understand. I mean, did He expect me to bring the homeless I find begging on Quinpool Road into my home and "adopt" them? He gently explained. That mother-love that can love the unlovable and gloss over the glaring annoyances in her children - that is the love that is needed by so many adults in today's world. After all, these people are just children grown up. They may not have had someone to take them in when they were little and cute. But now they are just that helpless child all grown up and dealing with big life issues. They are sometimes lost, dismissed by society because they struggle. Maybe they lack social skills because they didn't have a mother who gave them that love when they were little. "Give them that love now!" is what I heard God tell me. I immediately thought of one particular girl who comes to my shop at least once a week. Her appearance is a bit strange - she usually has some dried food on the front of her sweater. Her personality has sharp edges. In short - she's not "lovable" in the usual sense of the world. She is lonely. When she comes in, her need for attention is obvious, and my natural instinct is to run in the other direction. The rest of the girls who work for me find her "creepy." She is an example of who God meant when he told me to adopt adults. Now, when I see her, I take a bit more time. I make sure to treat her with dignity and respect. I try to give her the love I would pour out on a cute little baby that smells like soap and looks adorable in footie pyjamas. And there are others. God has given me some amazing "children" since He asked me to adopt adults. None of them know they have been adopted, and I don't tuck them in at night, but there are some 'for now' paybacks. I get to have a front-row seat in God's amazing work in their lives. My adopted adults are the one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given. It still seems strange to me - strange, but amazing!

1 comment:

janelle said...

i super love you. thanks for adopting me when i was an annoying teenager and teaching me all sorts of awesome things.
i hope that my kids get adopted by your kids someday ... and then adopt some people of their own :).
you're the bomb.