Waiting For "Our" Adoption

Daniel and I officially started the adoption process with DHS in Arkansas in January of 2010. Since then, we have filled out a whole lot of paper work, taken classes, submitted innumerable copies of obscure forms, and waited. Waited. Waited. Waited. We were waiting. We are waiting. We will be waiting–it seems– for an indefinite amount of time.

At this point, we aren’t sure what is going to happen with it all, or if an adoption will ever occur for us with DHS in Arkansas.  It’s sad. Frustrating. Disheartening. Irritating. Infuriating. Well, you get the picture. We know there are kids in need of permanent homes who we would be willing to adopt, but the paperwork, bureaucracy, work-load, and inefficiency of the system has kept that from happening.

But, we aren’t the only ones waiting. Sometimes, I look through the adoption “Heart Galleries” and wonder about the lives behind the faces I see. These are real people. Real infants, kids, tweens, and teenagers–all waiting for their “forever family.” All children loved by God, made in His image to fulfill His purpose for their lives.

As frustrating as our waiting has been, I know the kids who are waiting have it a lot worse.  I wonder what it would be like to be one of those kids. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Wondering if I will ever be adopted. If anyone would ever love me forever and not just for a short placement. If I’m even worth anything. If my life is already a waste. If I’d ever have anyone appreciate the things that made me special. If my “real” parents cared. If people can ever be trusted again. If I’ll ever have a place to call home. If I’ll ever have a family.

As I look through each state’s heart gallery, I pray over the little faces I see.  I pray that they may have a forever family. I pray that God will be with them as they wait and help them to know him, even as they are little children. I pray that good, patient, loving Christian families will consider adoption as an viable option for growing their families.

I pray that these little faces will soon disappear from the waiting list on the heart galleries. I’ve become attached to the faces and their names. I rejoice when the heading reads, “No longer accepting inquiries. Brian has been matched with his forever family!”

One common adoption quote is, “There are no unwanted children, only unfound families.”

This morning, I was reminded that in a way, we were all waiting to be adopted. Romans 8 reminds us that we are all longing to be home. We all wonder, like the lyrics of a new song,  “Who will love me for me?” Could God love me? With my past? My sin? Am I worthy to have a forever family?

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Isn’t that the Christian message? Isn’t that the good news we are sharing?

God creates hope out of despairing situations. God is amazing! He has adopted us to be His children! God tells us again and again: YES! I am your Abba Father! You are my heir. You are a co-heir with Christ. I love you. You are mine.

There are no unwanted people. Only people who haven’t known their Abba Father! How these people all over the world long to know Him and find their forever–eternal–family!!

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Whether we adopt sometime in the near future or 20 years from now, Daniel and I both believe we will EVENTUALLY adopt, although that might not be the only way we grow our family. The more we’ve learned about adoption, the more I am committed to it as a means to grow a family while being a blessing to others.