"If only we had the money..."
I have heard this so many times! And while we are just barely finalizing our first adoption, we have room in our hearts for many more. Not sure what that looks like at the moment, but that's ok because I know that He will guide us each step of the way. If we hadn't seen stepped out in faith and seen our God work in mighty ways these past two years, I might be saying the same thing: you know let's wait about 10 more years until we could be fully debt-free and then add a few more children. But God doesn't work like that my friends! He calls us to live for Him and be obedient to Him NOW. His heart is for the orphan and until every single one of the 147 million of them are cared for, WE as believers have a responsibility! And the best part of all is that when He gives YOU His heart for the orphan and you start trusting Him for the rest- He will make a way where you once thought it was impossible. Remember NOTHING is impossible with God!
Well, one of my favorite blogging friends, Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity, summed it up just about perfectly. And she of all people can share about this subject without reserve. You have got to read their entire story when you have the time- it is amazing! She puts it into words SO much better than I ever could, so I am going to stop now and encourage you to please GO to her BLOG and read this post.
After I read her post I was challenged to evaluate my priorities and to determine how to live more simply even today. I know that the money excuse is not a valid excuse for us and pretty much everyone we know. Not that we could just hand over $30,000 right now on the spot. It is just that maybe we need to re-evaluate what we are spending our resources on and start living much more simply. If you are a family who has sacrificed a few earthly treasures in order to bring home children thus resulting in an eternal reward-- would you share with us? I love hearing the testimonies of God's faithfulness and I know there are others who read this blog who would love it too!
8 comments:
Thank you for posting this. The day we were going to send in our application to the Korea program we received awful news that my husband's company had lost a lawsuit and that everything we had invested was gone. It was a huge blow to us and my husband actually wanted to postpone sending in our application. I convinced him that this was what God wanted us to do and he would provide for us. HE took the chance and it led us to our daughter. I hope to adopt again after our daughter comes home and I am letting HIM lead us to our next child, trusting completely that he has already picked out another child for us. I will be praying for your family and that HE has big plans for your next adoption!
We had actually decided not to adopt yet and then we came across Ty's referral. God used a grant to lure us but we ended up not getting it in the end. God has a great sense of humor, ya?
Anyway, he provided in amazing ways for us at just the right times.
We are seriously evaluating what we spend money on these days as we've chosen to be incomeless for a season while Patrick transitions. We'll eventually seek to do orphan care full time I think. I posted a little about it here...
http://www.thecorkums.com/2010/01/28/stepping-out-in-faith/
I know this view may not be popular but I don't believe it's every Christians responsibility to adopt. As an adoptive parent, I know that adoptive parenting is tough and different from parenting a biological child. I don't believe every person is cut out to be an adoptive parent.
Yes, as Christians we are called to care for the widows and orphans. But there are many other ways we can care for orphans besides adopting, especially those who aren't "true" orphans, meaning that they have still have living parents.
I would hate to think that some parents are being guilted into adopting because they feel it's their Christian duty, only to get into a situation they can't handle.
Again, I know in Christian circles my view may not be popular. But I think many times there are better ways to help these families than to adopt their children to the U.S.
Each Christian is called to “follow Christ.” Those are His words. If one is a Christian, then Jesus is your Lord and obedience to Him is mandatory. He will perfect and keep those who are his. He doesn’t lose one child. With that said, each believer is called to follow Christ wherever he leads them. We are all led down different paths. All of those paths contain sufferings, hardships, sacrifice, and great perseverance. While following our Savior He will require many different things of us; time, money, health, family, children, comfort, the list goes on and on. Our duty as his children is to give Him whatever he requires of us. It’s all on the table and when he decides to take something for our good, for His glory, for whatever reason, we have no right to question his request. He is God. Who are we to question the Almighty – especially when he says we are to “count the cost” and be “living sacrifices.”
Some of us have been called to adopt. When God calls us to adopt we do it, because we are simply following Christ. That’s what we do as his children. Others are called to move to Africa and care for orphans in that way…if that your call then you go, because we have to follow Christ. Some are called to live seemingly normal lives in the states while giving sacrificially to mission, church, and those in need, and if so, we do it because we are following Jesus; our Lord and Savior. We aren’t to compare ourselves with other believers; there call, their path is not ours. God will lead us all in his own way down our own path that He has predetermined. Some paths include adoption; some don’t. I will say this…money isn’t an excuse to not follow Jesus. If he calls a family to adopt then they must follow, but if Jesus is leading them elsewhere then they shouldn’t’ feel guilty either. Just follow the Shepherd. That is the calling of each true believer.
Saw this for a book club I'm apart of and thought of you...
http://thebloombookclub.blogspot.com/2010/02/yard-sale-give-away.html
I completely agree with this post. I think many are called to adopt and don't. Whether it be money, time, resources, any excuse can be made.
We are self-employed in the construction trade. We have NO security when it comes to work or finances. We started our adoption in the same month that the stock market took a hit and everyone was beginning to fear the future. It would have been easy to say "let's wait, and see what happens first" but we continued on. It was a HUGE step of faith. HUGE! We watched the construction completely cease in our area, but God had a plan. Long story short, we came up with the money, are on our way to bringing our beautiful girl home soon, and have had one of the best years for our business in a long time. God WILL bless those who follow HIM. HE will provide when all seems lost. HE will comfort and guide when the path seems tough and crazy.
Many blessings to you on your next journey! By the way, I have been following your blog for a while and your daughter is GORGEOUS!
THANK YOU to everyone who commented- both here and on facebook!
I have more to say soon, so beware-lol! :-)
Thanks for sharing. We have been called to adopt and are still in the early stages (in the midst of the homestudy). When we started we did have a decent savings but not $30,000 by any means. We took a look at our budget and trimmed the fat and found a few hundred we could put towards adoption each month and crunching the numbers says that even if we move more quickly than expected we'll still have the resources to see us through. Finances did intimidate us for a while but God has taught us so much and has provided in every way. We know He is in control!
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