Misconceptions, Part 1

One thing that concerns us most about making our journey public on a blog is that readers will have some misconceptions about what we are doing or what we believe.  Believe us when we say that at times, we have struggled with some of these misconceptions ourselves (and in many ways still struggle with them).  We both came from backgrounds where we were not exposed to adoption in any real way; not in a way that forced us to actually consider what it meant to adopt or what it was like to be an adopted child or an adoptive family.  However, when we truly started to consider adoption and what it would mean for our family, we found that what we had believed about adoption and how it fits into our faith was seriously challenged and changed.  In light of that, we're going to do a series of posts addressing some of these issues.

Misconception: Everyone should adopt.
We heartily agree that not everyone or every family is called to adoption.  We are all given gifts by God for work in His kingdom, and they are different gifts.  And that is a wonderful thing!  We did not consider that our gifts may be suited for adoption until recently (in fact, sometimes we are still not sure, but praise God, for He is in control!).

However...
It is very important for us to reflect on the fact that as Christians, we are by definition adopted children of God.  How beautiful this picture was to us when we truly considered it!  We have nothing to offer God to qualify for His love and salvation.  As much as we like to think otherwise, we have nothing to stand on and say to God, "I am worthy of being your child."  Yet He freely and lovingly chose us, pursued us, and brought us into His adoptive family.  How can we not turn our eyes toward those who, in this world, are in the same position: fatherless, without any merit to claim adoption into a loving family?

So while not all Christians are called to adopt, all Christians are called to care for orphans and the poor.  We encourage you to consider the poor and others who have no voice.  No really, consider them for a few days and don't look away.  It is frighteningly easy to look away.  Pray for them.  And then pray that God would show you how you are called to care for them.

Need ideas?  Here are a few suggestions:

• Sponsor a child through an organization like Compassion International.
• Help a family adopt by assisting them with fundraising (obviously, we love this idea!).
• Look into starting an orphan care ministry at your church.  Your church could even adopt an orphanage! (Information here)
• Volunteer your time at a local adoption agency or children's home.
• Look into becoming a foster parent.

Stay tuned for more posts in this series.  And if there are specific misconceptions or questions you would like us to address, please let us know!