When anyone asks me how our adoption is going, I typically say, “Well, it’s going. We’re learning a lot.” I say that because it’s true. We have a very new perspective now than we did when we first jumped into this process.
We knew we wanted to keep growing our family. We knew we had been given the resources to do so, and a loving family to support us. Almost exactly one year ago, the opportunity presented itself to us, and we whole-heartedly entered into the pursuit of our baby.
And yet, we had no idea how much our hearts would change.
We would complete all of the paperwork, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that we were doing it in obedience. We might have even felt good about ourselves as we clicked “submit” on the final piece of our home study application.
Yes, it was hard work. But as soon as we received our first info summary describing a birth mother’s situation, we realized that the truly difficult work was being done somewhere else.
Somewhere else, our social worker was tirelessly making connections.
Somewhere else, the birth counselor was spending long hours nurturing and bringing life to an otherwise bleak situation.
Somewhere else, the baby that would be ours was being carried by a woman who loved him or her enough to choose adoption.
And that, my friends, is hard work.
We can make plans. We can prepare a nursery. We can pray. But the one to be given the true honor is the one doing the giving. Yes, we endure the waiting, but once again, I am reminded that we are the ones that get to keep watch and see what God has planned for the child whose mom is making that brave choice.
In light of recent news and legislation surrounding abortion, I want to share this: there are organizations out there like lifeline , filled with people working each and every day to minister to expectant mothers and lovingly care for them. In their love towards these women, the good news of Jesus is reiterated and the ability to give their baby a loving home is made real to them.
They are shown how worthy they truly are of receiving love, and of being a hero, filled with strength and resolve to give their child life, rather than death. To give them a chance to grow up in this world, to become who they were meant to become, to make this world a better place.
Some women aren’t as fortunate to find an organization like lifeline. Some women are so covered up in shame and despair that they feel they have no other choice.
I stand today to share with anyone who will listen: there is a better way. Do I claim to understand what these women go through? Not in the least. But I do believe in what the beloved people who work with lifeline do on a daily basis to fight for the lives of the unborn. They fight, not only for the baby’s life, but for the life of his or her mother as well. They counsel and provide a path forward in love, as a reflection of Christ’s love for them.
We are seeing story after story come through our inbox of women who have had the courage to say no to the option of abortion, as if it were never an option to begin with. These women may have a pregnancy that was “unplanned,” but they either know in their heart of hearts or they are told by someone who cares for them that there are NO accidents with God.
To anyone who has a loved one who is faced with an unplanned pregnancy, or if you are reading this today and are facing one of your own, know this: there is a beautiful, intricate plan for that baby, and for you. This little one was made to love and be loved in return, as were you. Though it may appear that all hope is lost, there is hope to be found if you just take the next small step of courage. You are not alone.
There is hope.
If you are one who is pained by the recent legislation, please consider supporting an organization like lifeline, or consider stepping forward to adopt yourself. I can assure you that you will learn a lot in the process, and that God will show up in ways that you have never dreamed possible.
Our story is only just beginning, and we can’t wait to meet the mother and baby who will change our lives forever, for the better.
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