Day 15 - So Why Adopt?
What’s the thinking behind adopting children? I mean why not just have biological children?
Obviously, some people adopt because that can't have children naturally. Yet, we are not having a problem in that area as you can see. :) Some people think that we are like some who believe you should continue to have children and never stop unless God prevents you from having them. (Sometimes that thinking borders on testing God and being irresponsible.) Though, we do find it funny when some people stare at us because we have almost 3 times as many children as most people do in America.
What we do believe is that God cares very much for orphans! Psalm 68:5 says that God is the, "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." There are also several Old Testament laws about protecting and taking care of orphans. The New Testament teaches that true worship of God is measured by our care for orphans. James 1:27 - "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
Now, this does not mean that everyone should adopt. There are many ways to care for orphans. Yet, we take joy in being able to care for orphans in this way. Certainly, we can't care for all the orphans, but we can do what we can do. We also hope to be example to others to do likewise.
Finally, one question that continues to motivate us about the things we do in this life is... “Will we regret this decision when we are in heaven?” This life is so short. What we do on earth either will be or not be an investment in heaven. We think investing in a life is a sacrifice worth making. And we certainly believe that God honors it, as already stated in His Word. We know that adoption will have its challenges and possibly some heartaches. But if we can impact a child's life for eternity than it is time well spent in our minds!
Jim Elliot said it like this, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
And Jesus said it like this, "And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mk 8:34-36)
That's a little peak into our thinking and values! :)
What do you think? Got any questions?
Obviously, some people adopt because that can't have children naturally. Yet, we are not having a problem in that area as you can see. :) Some people think that we are like some who believe you should continue to have children and never stop unless God prevents you from having them. (Sometimes that thinking borders on testing God and being irresponsible.) Though, we do find it funny when some people stare at us because we have almost 3 times as many children as most people do in America.
What we do believe is that God cares very much for orphans! Psalm 68:5 says that God is the, "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." There are also several Old Testament laws about protecting and taking care of orphans. The New Testament teaches that true worship of God is measured by our care for orphans. James 1:27 - "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
Now, this does not mean that everyone should adopt. There are many ways to care for orphans. Yet, we take joy in being able to care for orphans in this way. Certainly, we can't care for all the orphans, but we can do what we can do. We also hope to be example to others to do likewise.
Finally, one question that continues to motivate us about the things we do in this life is... “Will we regret this decision when we are in heaven?” This life is so short. What we do on earth either will be or not be an investment in heaven. We think investing in a life is a sacrifice worth making. And we certainly believe that God honors it, as already stated in His Word. We know that adoption will have its challenges and possibly some heartaches. But if we can impact a child's life for eternity than it is time well spent in our minds!
Jim Elliot said it like this, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
And Jesus said it like this, "And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mk 8:34-36)
That's a little peak into our thinking and values! :)
What do you think? Got any questions?
