Why adoption...

It's been a year since we met T, and almost 2 years since we've began this adoption journey. I joyously I announced my "adoption pregnancy" on Facebook. "Adoption is the new pregnant." Since then, Kevin and I have shared our desire and joy to bring a child into our family. Many have asked the question, "Why Adoption? You're perfectly healthy and can have your own children. Why not have your own first then adopt?" This question never offended us. It gave us a chance to share our heart for adoption. I know we've shared on our blog in the past our desire to give a child a home and be a family to one without as the book of James calls us to care for orphans and widows. HOWEVER over the past 1-2 years, God has taught me even more about the beauty of adoption.

It also made me realize what a difference adoption has made in my own life and I am not referring to us adopting our T. I am talking about the moment that I was adopted into God’s family.

The Bible tells of the most beautiful adoption story every written. God’s intentions were for us to live with Him forever but sin destroyed that plan and separated us from God’s family.(Romans 3:23). And so God created adoption and a beautiful story of redemption was written. If you have put your trust in Christ, it’s your story of adoption, too.

God’s redemption plan included sending His Son to this earth in the form of a baby born to a virgin in the little town of Bethlehem. (Luke 2) Jesus lived on earth and then died on a cross as payment for our sins. (Luke 23). Three days later her rose from the dead and ascended back to Heaven to go and prepare a place for us to live for eternity. (Luke 24)

My life is completely different because God adopted me into His family. I was destined to be a life of no meaning that would ultimately end in death. But, at the moment that I gave my life to Jesus, He took me into His family and completely transformed me. Everything from my life before Christ has no bearing on who I am today.

It’s the miracle of adoption.

I’ve thought a lot about what T's life would be like had she not been adopted into our family. It is hard to even imagine her anywhere but with us. I shudder to even imagine where she would be if she stayed in that situation for any longer than what she was there. My eyes tear up when I even think about it. T was not born into our family and had she stayed with her birth family, her life would be totally and completely different than it is today. (We'll just leave it at that).

I was not born into God’s family and had I not accepted God’s free gift of salvation for me, my life would be totally and completely different than it is today. It's better, fuller, and purpose-filled. It's the joy of living in Christ (the family of God). Had I stayed in my sins, my life would be void and consumed with attempts to fill that void. God's love SAVED me from my hopeless situation and gave me hope and a family. That is true love!

Am I getting the parallel across? This is why the adoption is a picture of God's amazing love for us. If God did that for me, how could I not do that for a child here on earth who was without hope and family. God's love is healing and restoring. It heals all wounds, hurts, and scars. It's that love flowing through us that heals that child. We can love because He first loved us!! (I John 4:19)

Now, I'm thrilled and excited to see more children join our family through adoption as well. My sister and brother-in-law are adopting from Ethiopia. They are in a long and arduous process of bringing a child into their family on an international scale. While their obstacles may be slightly different than ours, it is still a labor of love for this child. Yay! More nieces or nephews! Bring that baby home!

You can follow their journey at www.kuhnadoption.com

Here we grow again!!!