Why Adopt...What about the Memo?

God has called us to this so no matter the ups and downs we'll stay the course! I am almost 42 years old and (hopefully) in the next 6-9 months I will have a preschooler again...that kind of racks my brain. I watch preschoolers in anticipation of our future and think "oh my they take a lot of energy...I have forgotten". I think about carrying a little one around all the time using a body that is 10 years older than the last time. I think about nap time, bed time and babysitters...all things I haven't thought about in several years. Toys in the front room, baths and tantrums, are all a part of our future...again. At our age we are veering off the road most of our same aged friends are on and doing an about face. We will likely be alone much of the time on this road. Most of the people our age have grown, or nearly grown kids. Why would we choose to start over? Financially things are not easy by any stretch of the imagination but they aren't bad either. I can actually buy a clearance quilt for my bed and not worry that something will go unpaid...that's a blessing. So why are we doing this? Why are we going in reverse, spending copious amounts of money, which we don't have, and changing everything?

I don't follow many blogs, but I just signed up to follow one (actually 2 but that's another story). The author is a home school, adoptive, biological, older mom and a crazy, radical Christian, passionate about serving Christ. She wrote an entry a while back about not getting the "memo". I think Veldon and I fall into that category. We didn't get the memo either. The memo is the one the world, and honestly many in the church, has that tells them that more things are better, bigger homes, fancy cars, big savings accounts, multiple expensive vacations, etc. According to the memo those are the things that define success, give security, and are worthy of striving for. Clearly we missed the memo! I think a bigger house would be great, but at the expense of home schooling my children or, heaven forbid, adopting Max NO WAY! I think a newer, bigger car with leather would be lovely, but at the expense of quiet evenings at home with our kids, or being home all day, every day with them NO! We didn't get the memo that security comes from money or stocks or savings. We tried for many years to get a hold of that crazy memo. But by God's grace we were never able to get our hands on it. Through years and years He taught us that we could ONLY rely on Him. He alone is our hope and our salvation.

When He led us back to seminary...with three kids...we knew we could trust Him. When He led us to a church, after being deeply hurt by a church...we knew we could trust Him. When He tells us to give to others when we don't have much...we know we can trust Him and when He called us to bring home another child we knew we could trust Him.

I watch those around me chasing the wealth of the world and I wish they hadn't gotten the memo either. I watch them storing up their treasures in things and money and man's approval and I hurt for them. I think we look different to people right now. The looks on people's faces as they try to tell us, kindly mind you, that we are on the wrong road and clearly this adoption isn't going to happen, basically that we get the credit with God for trying and don't have to actually adopt...tells me they don't get it. When other believers tell us in a matter of fact way that's great for us to adopt but they couldn't do it, they don't get it. (Not that everyone is called to adopt, I wonder if they've asked God about adopting...no matter, we are all called to live differently!) As people live for the next great vacation or new car or bigger house it seems to me they don't get it...or actually they did get it...the memo! The reality is this that the only thing that lasts are the souls of men, not the wealth or the house or the vacation. Why wouldn't I bring more children to my home to teach them about Jesus so that He can call them to Glory? Men are saved through the preaching of the Word, whether it be at home or at church or on the street corner. How are these kids going to hear the preaching of the Word without someone to preach it to them? I'm going to preach it at home to as many as He will allow me to. I know that bringing Max home doesn't insure his salvation, and I know in the end I will know that God is right in whom He calls and does not call, but what would be the point but for lives to be saved?!

So we didn't get the memo and I hope we never do. I hope we look strange to the world and to even the church. I hope we stand out as those odd home schoolers who adopted a kid or two in their old age. :0) I hope God is glorified in all that I do and never ashamed with what I choose to do with the resources He has blessed us with.

Did you get the memo?