Adoption Journal #18

One year ago this week (actually a year and five days ago) Mandy and I sat in an orientation session for prospective adoptive/foster parents with our local county social service agency. We did this after months of prayer research into the topic and issue of adoption. As I have said before, we received mixed reactions when we told people that we were intent on adopting. Prior to ever setting foot in the orientation we were convinced that God was directing us as a couple to enter this world on faith. Now few people (even Christians) accept the answer of a decision being God’s will when they ask “why?” I appreciate this, but it doesn’t change the answer. More particularly Mandy and I were convinced that God was directing us to the Foster/Adopt track through our local county social service agency for a child known to have developmental or medical disabilities. Knowing this was going to be somewhat more difficult (in regards to time and emotional risk) than perhaps an international or private agency adoption, we have still pursued this path over the past year.
A year into this process and I begin to wonder how much longer it will be. Because of the dual nature of being approved through county adoptions and foster care this process is time consuming. Further, since some classes are only offered once every few months a missed window of opportunity can cost at least three months (this has been true for us). Now people who originally were supportive are beginning to questions whether or not we thought this whole thing through. Many people were excited and even thought that Mandy and I were so great to be following God’s lead; however, their thinking does not allow for hardship or wait when following God’s lead. Yet, this is exactly what we find in the Bible. Even now in the hardship and frustration I know there is purpose. Even now without my son or daughter I can look at the county child welfare system and echo Joseph’s words “You meant these bureaucratic hoops for evil, but God meant them for good (granted that is a bit paraphrased from Genesis).” I can’t begin to count the people we have run into who were on the fence about whether or not to pursue adoption of foster care who have allowed us to be an influence and a guide in this journey. I must say that there are countless more who have affirmed us and supported our journey through their prayer and constant encouragements, we are truly blessed by these. There is truly a reason for the struggles in this world.
There have been temptations for Mandy and I to go ahead and pursue a biological child first then later pursue an adoption. More than a few have suggested we do this. Yet, I remember what happened when Abraham stepped outside God’s plan for creating his family and the disastrous consequence of his impatience. A year is a long time to wait, but I know that God will continue to be faithful. I know that God’s faithfulness does not have an expiration date or needs to be renewed like a library card. God’s faithfulness is equal to whatever the situation. And for that I am grateful.