Why Adopt?
Posted on July 10, 2008
Filed Under Life, Social Issues, Spiritual Life, Parenting
I’ve known a lot of adoptive parents, and have yet to run into one who thinks that they are “sacrificing” by bringing a fatherless child into their home. Rather, we adopted because it is the right thing to do, Scripture commands that we reach out to these children, or perhaps we have a tender spot in our heart from our own upbringing. “Because I wanted to do something sacrificial,” isn’t a motivation I’ve encountered, though.
Even the world gets this. In fact, the other day I read this quote from one famous Mom about her own adopted children:
“When I was growing up I wanted to adopt, because I was aware there were kids that didn’t have parents. It’s not a humanitarian thing, because I don’t see it as a sacrifice. It’s a gift. We’re all lucky to have each other…I suppose I’m giving them the childhood I always wished I had.”
I appreciate the honesty of that statement and resonate with her reason for making a difference in a child’s life. And while I don’t agree with everything this woman does or says, her perspective of being an adoptive Mom grabbed me. It is selfless, at heart. That’s what the Bible calls us to be, isn’t it?
Few people would know this, but a well-known member of the U.S. House of Representatives has invested a lot into the lives of fatherless kids. His story is pretty inspiring.
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I absolutely love Romans 12 vs.1-2. I hold these verses close to my heart and seek to live them out.
Enter the issue of adoption, where my wife and I are in the midst of doing research and are on our way to becoming potential adoptive parents. I must include that the desire for us to adopt can be linked the conviction impressed on me from the ‘90 day Bible Challenge’ I had taken part not too long ago.
I agree with your statement “Scripture commands that we reach out to these children, or perhaps we have a tender spot in our heart from our own upbringing.” I’ve read these very scripture and have the desire to act upon them.
Where I’m a little confused is in your statement with regards to the perspective of being an adoptive parent as “selfless, at heart.”
I, and no doubt like you, we know that making sacrifices is a large part about being a parent/father/husband. I really never knew how much of a sacrifice it was going to take until my children arrived.
When I read the words selfless, I imply giving up of one self in sacrifice. A consequence I am happily take on in receiving another child through adoption.
Anyhow. I must have needed to have read your blog… another heart check for the lack of better words on our journey to adoptive parents. Thanks for writting this.
Matthieu
Ottawa, CAN