Blog Hacking 101

Warning: None of these comments have been approved by Charity nor does she know they are being posted. Read it now, because it may be removed very soon. LOL!

I get asked a lot of questions, whether at LifeWay or Church or even in a restuarant about adoption. It seems that God had a far greater plan for me and Charity than just adopting our beautiful girls. We have had the honor of talking with families in all different stages of the adoption process. I am thankful for the MANY families that are pursuing or considering adoption at our wonderful church, West Jackson Baptist Church. I am thankful for Robin Popplewell, our amazing Children's Minster and friend, who is relentless about advancing the cause of the Orphan. There has been much posted in the blog world related to crazy questions and statements that people ask those who adopt. One of those happened to me today and it is probably the one that I hate the most. "How could you love a child that is not your own?" WHAT? Really? This person did not know me very well, or he would have know this was not the right question to ask me. In my calm, peaceful, endearing personality (LOL) I told him that the wonderful thing was that didn't have to find out. These beautiful girls that God has given us ARE my children. Even the government recognizes that (well at least one of them, so far).

I remember the first time that I saw HG's picture. I KNEW she was my daughter. Her age didn't fit into OUR plan. We had alway thought we would bring home a baby from China. As I sit here, I hear HG calling me to "put her to sleep." One of the many highlights of my day. To pray with this beautiful little girl who 9 months ago sat in a orphanage in a country that cannot openly proclaim the gospel. To hear her ask when she can have Jesus in her heart. She doesn't understand it all, but she does understand that it is important to her family and each day she draws closer to that decision. As we sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children", God is working in her heart. While I can't know for sure, there is a strong likelihood she would not have been exposed to the gospel if she had stayed in China. It was part of God's perfect plan for her life and ours that she came to our family. But we had to be obedient.

I think of how life might have been different if we had not adopted. Obviously, we would have more room in our small 3 bedroom house and probably would have followed the path to bigger and better things, a bigger house, a bigger yard, etc. Funny things is that we really did follow the path to bigger and better things. Maybe not in the way that you may imagine. Yes, we still live in a 3 bedroom house, we drive a grey minivan that has had a dent in the side (which I made when I ran into with our other car). But our BIGGER family is a BETTER thing. The sacrifice of my "Master Plan" I made as a naive 20 something, has revealed God's Perfect Plan for our family: Adopting. We are not better people because we have adopted. It was God's plan for us and we were just obedient. Much like God has called some of you to be doctors, preachers, missionaries, etc. Find the passion that God has given you and pursue it will all your heart. That is what he created us for. We all must be obedient to His call on our lives.

Adoption may not be the plan He has for you. Yes, those of us who have adopted, don't believe that all of us are called to adopt. Some of you don't need to parent any more children (Just Joking). But then again, He might just be softening your heart to it.

As we prepare to go to Ethiopia to bring Ellie-Joy home, I am thankful that God changed my selfish heart to a heart that mirrors His. Am I nervous about starting over with diapers and sleepless nights again at almost 40. YES!! But I am more excited about doing what God called me to do as a dad. Model Christ's love for them as a dad and to raise them in His Word and truth. Have I done a perfect job so far? No! I am a work in progress. Maybe God is giving me another shot! I tell everybody all the time, that the beauty of having lots of kids is that when you're old, you have a lot better shot of having at least one take care of you!!

I love you friends. These adoptions are as much yours as they are ours. Your prayers, gifts and encouragement have made them happen. We love you.