And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Matthew 19:29 NIV
Recently I had a friend ask me why I never adopted
any kids. I don't talk much about our
decision not to adopt, mostly because I fear people won't understand. I mean...it's what you do when you can't have
kids, right? Only it wasn't just about us.
Of course we thought about it, but ultimately it
wasn't what God had planned. This is the
part I fear sounds a little odd. Many
years ago...as I dreamed of being offered a child, I distinctly heard the
Spirit in me say, "give it to Sara (name changed)". What?!
She too was struggling with infertility.
A few short weeks later, I did, indeed, receive a call about a baby
needing adopted. Was I interested? Oh, the agony of that moment! How I went over and over this with God,
"what if this is my only shot?".
And yet, I submitted and made the offer to my friend.
The road between there and here, was a long one,
with many ups and downs. However, I am
now fully content. I trust in God's plan
for my life, because it really isn't my life any way. "I have been crucified with Christ and I
no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
Please don't feel bad for us, because God is
faithful and has His own way of gathering a family. Almost 22 years ago I left my home and family
to come to a distant land (hey from Oregon to Indiana seemed like it). And then I gave up having my own
children. But, I am living the reality
of Matthew 19:29. I met my husband here, I was given great in-laws, I have friends who have become family, my brother
now lives here, we support children through Compassion International, and I am blessed with so many
kids in my life to love on and be loved by.
I am truly blessed and God is faithful to His Word. I have no doubt I will reach 100 X and then... I will be welcomed home.
