Why We Are Adopting… AGAIN!

Just over two years ago, Aubrey and I embarked upon a journey to adopt. In March of this year, our first adoption was finalized, and we have had the privilege of being Mommy and Daddy to a beautiful little girl from her birth. Now, we are beginning the process all over again. That’s right. We’re adopting another child.

I’ve received a number of responses when I tell people this. Some encouraging, some comical, but thankfully, none too rude. I would like to address the reasons why we are adopting again and the things that are NOT reasons why we are adopting again.

We Must Be Saints!

Many of the responses, though not stated directly, might indicate a sense of awe at our Godliness in doing this. “That baby will be SO blessed!” It is true that we are saints, but only in the Biblical sense that all Christians are called saints (Philippians 1:1). We are definitely not members of a super-class of Christian with awesome super powers of holiness. We are not in some way condescending from on high to privilege an outcast child with our super parenting skills.

What we are, is obedient (at least, attempting to be). We read in James 1:27 that “religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” We believe that, for us, a practical way of being obedient to this word is to adopt children. Many people have stated to me that they “could never do that!” While I agree that adoption is not for everyone, and we are not all called to adopt, there are far more people who are perfectly “able” to adopt than do.

We Must Be Addicted to Babies

I assure you that we do not have some strange addiction to babies or the process of adoption. We are not trying to purchase our sainthood or increase our standing with God Almighty. And we are not trying to wear the number of our children as some sort of badge or status.

So Why?

Our desire is to do the will of our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:16)” We want to have the same desires as our Creator. Our desire is that He might use us, that He would even pour out our very lives, for the work of His Eternal Kingdom. God has not withdrawn the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

The primary action in this verse is make disciples. We would spend the rest of our lives given to that calling. Two years ago we felt called to fulfill this partially through adoption. We are blessed beyond words to be placed by God in this role, to be a Mommy and Daddy of children that we did not birth into this world. Though our work may not always be through adoption, we have not felt God close this chapter in our lives. And so we press on.