Why Adopt?

We have been asked this question many times since announcing our decision to adopt. Why would you want to adopt when you can have your own? Now don't get us wrong, we want to have our own children some day, because let's face it, who doesn't want to have a little munchkin running around who looks just like you? Most of us have the biological desire to procreate, but for us, the thought of a child who has no one to love them, support them, encourage them, pray for them or help them grow to be the best little human they can be, breaks our hearts. God has a heart for orphans, and since we are "adopted" by God as His sons and daughters, who are we to not follow His lead?

The deepest and strongest foundation of adoption is not in the act of humans adopting humans, but in God adopting humans. Galatians 4:4-5 states, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." God did not have to use the concept of adoption to explain how He saved us, or even how we become part of His family, but He did. 

When we were first married in 2009 we had a lot of discussions about how many children we wanted, when we wanted to have them, what we wanted to name them, etc. At some point in these conversations we both tentatively brought up the idea of adoption, not knowing what the other would think. Thankfully we realized we were both on the same page. However in our discussion we always talked about adoption as something we wanted to do AFTER we had "children of our own." 

The idea of a child through adoption being different than a child through birth is something we have wrestled with for quite some time. In the beginning of this process, we at times were made to feel that adopting a child would not be as significant as birthing a child. However, the Bible says in Ephesians 1:5, "In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will." Adoption in God's mind was not Plan B. He predestined us for adoption BEFORE the creation of the world. Adoption was not second best, it was planned from the beginning. While the choice to adopt may sequentially be second, it does not have to be secondary. There is something uniquely precious about having children by birth, and while different, adoption can be equally precious and significant; it is to God. 

Though our original plan was to adopt down the road - when we were out of debt and living in our dream home and had some savings set aside and, and, and - God completely changed our hearts and we found ourselves committed to this journey; one child at a time. We have prayed many hours about the decision to adopt again, and we have had continued confirmation that our family is not yet done growing through adoption. Words can't describe the joy and fulfillment we continue to feel in giving these little ones a home...to show them God's unconditional love and help them experience the love of a mother and father...to help them find their value and purpose in who they are and who God created them to be...to give them an opportunity to reach their full potential and find worth in their gifts and abilities. While the journey is messy and difficult and overwhelming at times, the reward is so much greater than the struggle. God has truly giving us a calling and we want to be a family who says "yes" to the plan He has laid out for us. 

We wait with great anticipation to welcome our daughter home from China later this year!