That's Not for Me!

Let me warn you before you even start reading...this post may offend some of you!  This topic is something I am passionate about...therefore, I have strong words to say.  I have been living adoption and the responses it gets for some time now...and here is my venting :)

Ever since we started the adoption journey back in 2004, we have gotten a variety of responses to our endeavors.  Lately, I have repeatedly heard the same response and it is beginning to annoy me!  "That is great of you guys but adoption is just not for me."  Being that I avoid conflict at all cost, I smile, nod, and move the conversation on.  However, what I wish is could say is "WHY?  Why is adoption not for you?  Are you afraid of having a child that looks or acts different than you?  Are you afraid  you won't be able to love someone who isn't your blood?  Are you afraid it will be hard/uncomfortable?  Are you afraid to give up your luxurious lifestyle?  Is giving a child love and a home not for you?  Why is it that adoption is not for you?" 

In A Mother for Choco, a children's book about adoption, the adoptive mother asks "If you had a mommy, what would she do?"  The orphan bird responds," She would hold me.  She would kiss me.  She would sing and dance with me to cheer me up."  In some ways it is that simple!  Now, don't think I am saying that there are not hard days, extremely hard days.  Don't think I am downplaying the ignorant comments you get because your family looks different.  Don't think I am saying it is always "a walk in the park" but what I am saying is...uncomfortable, hard places are where we truly experience God and see God's heart. 

So, I am jumping out of the boat like Peter.  We are going to become of family of 7 with 3 adopted children.  We will enjoy the hugs, kisses, dancing, and singing.  And, with God's help, we will endure the hard days when we get ignorant comments or wonder why our birth mothers couldn't keep us.  However, I know on the good days and the bad days, my Heavenly Father will be with me.  I pray that I keep my eyes focused on Him and not on this world.  

I will leave you with one last quote from Kisses from Katie.  "The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific condition and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children.  And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth proclaim to be Christians.  The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.  The truth is that He loves these children just as much as He loves me and now that I know, I am responsible."