Hearts to Adopt

I am snuggling Anna under a cozy blanket. Sipping gulping my morning cup of coffee. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is on in the background. Under the blanket I feel the subtle movements of a beautiful child, our son, in my belly. I feel safe. Eternally grateful. But my heart is burdened. My mind wanders to the child that God has placed on our hearts to adopt.

I do not know if this child has been born yet. If it is a boy or girl. If this child is thousands of miles away or in my backyard. I do not know this child’s name. I do not know what this child looks like. Does its skin resemble mine (pale and prone to skin cancer)?

Adoption is something that Jon and I have felt called to, but it has always seemed like the distant future. I’m not sure why but God is wrecking me RIGHT NOW, but it’s like my heart is finally breaking for what breaks his.

I think about how blessed Anna is. Not just with material things like her bed, clothes or food, but the emotional security she has. The healthy attachment she has formed to both me and her daddy. I think about the swaddling, the snuggling, the tender touches our son will receive from birth. And my heart breaks for the children of the world who will not experience this simple affection.

While we do not feel compelled yet to officially start the adoption process on paper, I feel like God is embracing me, whispering to me words of encouragement and preparation. He’s telling me, “Girl, I have work to do in you…but just trust me. You don’t have to know where you are going or how you will get there. All you have to know is that I am by your side, leading you.” I am also being convicted about what I can do right now:

1) Read what scripture has to say about it.

I am amazed at how many times God specifically commands his people to care for the orphans. The following verses just skim the surface:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Isaiah 1:17

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 82:3-4

2) Pray.

I need to be more intentional about praying for the orphans of the world. I also need to be attentive to hear what God may be calling our family to. My sweet friend, Lara, is joining me in 40 days of prayer. Want to join us? We are on day 5, using this guide.

3) Continue to educate myself on the issue. It is amazing how hearing others’ stories has touched me. I do not know these women personally, but man have they put a fire in my belly for adoption:

Rage Against the Minivan

Jen Hatmaker

Under the Sycamore 

4) Sponsor a child through Compassion. I need to stop talking about it and just do it.

Need convincing to do the same? Just watch one of these videos.

5) Support others who are going through the process of adoption.

Maybe this means contributing financially towards an adoptive family’s travel costs. Maybe this means bringing a meal to a family who has just brought their adopted child home. For more ideas, read this awesome post by Jen Hatmaker on “Being the Village“.

Thanks for listening friends.