Because we can....

It seems we have been questioned recently about why we are choosing to adopt through the foster care system; why are we willing to endure the tedious, ridiculous, long days with no answers and often-times painful process; After some thought, I finally came up with a response that I'm peaceful with. "Because we can."

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

God sets the lonely in families.

Psalm 68:5-6

We can parent a child from any walk of life, no matter how different from our own, because we have an extremely wealthy Father who loved us and called us His own when we had nothing. We can bring a child into our home and yes, into our family, who looks nothing like us because we know that the same has been done for us. We can risk the safety and comfort of our lives because we know that the will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot keep us. We know that our Lord is more protective of these little ones than we are and that their angels see His face even now.

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:10

Our home is not perfect. Our bank statement is not much to look at. We disagree. We struggle. We cry. We doubt. But we also love. We smile. We fight for what we believe in. We have faith when we have nothing else. What we lack in worldly wealth, we more than compensate for in Godly love. We know - and we can tell little ones who do not - that the Lord is our provider, our strength and our shield. We know there is hope when the faith runs out. We know there are little ones lying in bed and longing even now for a home. Not a big or fancy one, just one that is safe and one that promises to be there tomorrow and in the days and years to come. As surely as we keep putting one foot in front of the other because we believe we will one day be freed from these chains, so we know all too well that there are little ones going through each day with the hope of a rescuer, a chance at life outside the walls that are closing in on them now, burning in their little hearts. And while we cannot give them Heaven, we most certainly can give them a home. And while we are so far from being Jesus, we can be His hands and feet, His arms and lips to little ones who might find Him no place else.

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?" Romans 8:22-24

We know not what tomorrow holds. We have no idea where the Lord is leading, but we are sure that it will be great. We do not begin to presume to know what is on His agenda today or next week. We are excited to see how the Lord will use this time in our lives to lead us to His will for us. We are giving the Lord our all, because it has always been His anyway. We will step out of His way and watch as His plan unfolds in our lives and the lives of little ones longing for a home tonight. We believe the plan He has for us is far greater than any we can imagine, because we live a life we could have never dreamed of. The Lord God Almighty is worthy of our praise. He is attentive to our prayers and we continually storm the throne of grace with confidence, that His will might be done in our lives. We again covet your prayers for us, as we do our best to stand firm against the pressures of this world in an effort to bring God glory somehow in our simple lives, the lives He gave to us. We are mindful of how brief this life is and we are determined to make the most of it, that when our time comes to be adopted as sons, for these bodies to be redeemed, that we might have no regrets. At any cost, we ask God to be glorified. Here. Now. In our lives. In the lives of little children we have never met. In the days and weeks to come. Forever. Because we can. Because Jesus said so. :)

"Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."

Matthew 19:13-29 ~ as shared by Emily