Thinking about Adoption? Have you considered the Waiting Child?
When my husband and I first started our adoption process, these children were referred to as “Special Needs” which frankly is a little scary. We knew we were called to adopt but our dreams centered on a perfect small bouncing bundle of joy. How wrong and selfish we were! We were looking at it through the eyes of the world, not the eyes of our Heavenly Father.
After several months of paperwork and blocks in the road, our caseworker mentioned these children as a possibility to us, we looked at each, initially with fear and trepidation, and said, "We don't think so", but God had other plans. He began to work in our hearts and brought people into our lives who had adopted children from China on the waiting child list and showed us that He had a completely different plan, one far more wonderful than anything we could have imagined with our finite minds. He showed us that we didn't need be scared of this special list of children but rather to see them as beautiful children created by their Creator, perfect in His eyes, and waiting for us to adopt them!
God gently whispered into our hearts. “I love you regardless of your imperfections. I loved you so much that I sent my one and only flawless Son to die for your sins. If you were already perfect, you wouldn’t need me. All My children are beautiful to me.”
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| Anthony (limb/finger deformities) & Grace (amniotic banding syndrome, psoriasis, mild club foot) |
So What if instead we called them "Waiting Children"? Doesn't sound as intimidating, right, and it is the truth as well! Furthermore, what if we thought of "Special Needs" kids as "special", amazing children in "need" of or "waiting" for a forever family? What if God had said, "Oh, I don't want to save people with problems, only perfect people"? None of us are worthy of Him! We are all special cases in comparison to our great God.
The truth of the matter is that many children on this list in China have things that can be corrected in the United States such as cleft lip/palate or limb deformities. I am not saying that this is an easy path or one that should be tread lightly, and of course, there are children on these lists with even more severe issues. But does God always call us to the easiest path? Pray about God's plan for your adoption and seek His will alone. Don't focus on the fact that you want a "healthy" child but rather on the child God has for you. When you know that you are following Him and His will for your life, step out in faith, trusting in His perfect plan. Yes, there will rapids along the way, but He has promised to carry you through those times of trial and difficulty that are inevitable. He will be faithful. WE CAN TRUST HIM!! "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understand. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:5-6)
God has worked in amazing ways in our lives through our children, and we are excited to see what else He has in store for us and our children in the future.
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| Suzanne, Grace, Anthony & Adam Meledeo |
After struggling with infertility for five years, God led Suzanne and her husband, Adam, to His Plan A for their lives, adoption! Their daughter, Grace Lihua, came into their lives on May 8, 2011 (Mother’s Day) from Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China, and their son, Anthony Jianyou, joined their family on January 14, 2013 from Shanghai. After a career in Politics, Suzanne is thankful for God’s provision in their lives that now allows her to work part time as a Pilates Instructor while home schooling their children. You can follow their adoption journey and life on their blog, Surpassing Greatness.
Oh, hey and we have a giveaway this week! 90 Devotions for Kids, written by the creators of Adventures in Odyssey. Leave me a comment here (or via my facebook page if the comment thing doesn't work - it's persnickety sometimes!) I want to pick you!
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