a few thoughts

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Eph 6:12

Adoption.

It is very near to my heart - not only because we have adopted three children, but because I, myself, have been adopted by a heavenly Father that chose me before "the creation of the world".

It is my opinion that adoption is not for the faint of heart.  It is a process that will rattle your nerves, challenge your sense of normalcy and stretch you quite a bit further than is comfortable.  That said, it sure seems to me that international adoption just keeps getting harder and harder.  When I think of the hoops we had to jump through to prove to all the governmental powers that be that we were fit to parent... well, it makes my blood pressure rise!

I just caught up on a China adoption forum for special needs children that I was glued to while we waited three times.  My heart sank as I read story after story of families sending LOI (Letter of Intent) to adopt children last summer and fall that will be waiting many more months to travel and complete the adoption.  Truthfully - it means that the child is waiting many more months for a family. 

But, then - I thought of the verse above - from Ephesians. 

We are not struggling against people or governments (although it certainly feels like it sometimes). 

We battle a very real enemy.

He hates us.

He hates these waiting children.

He hates families.

He hates God's heart for orphans.

It sure does seem that international adoption is hard.  But when you remember that we are in a war against a very real enemy - for the hearts and minds of "the least of these" - difficulty shouldn't surprise us.  So - if we are going to war - don't we want to win?  Don't we want to be victorious?!

That passage from Ephesians goes on to read:

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

So - as an encouragement to all my friends that are somewhere in the process of adoption - whether from China or Ethiopia or Liberia...  Remember...

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  Ephesians 6:10-11

I am praying for you.  One step at a time.

Comments

[Laura]

Great post, Tami! The children and I are memorizing Ephesians 6:1-20 right now, and your post helped shed new light on it for me. I'll remember this when (hopefully!) we adopt one day. :)

[Laura]

Great post, Tami! The children and I are memorizing Ephesians 6:1-20 right now, and your post helped shed new light on it for me. I'll remember this when (hopefully!) we adopt one day. :)

[Tanya]

Tami,
Would you give me permission to reprint this post for couples going into international adoption? It is a very good, concise explanation of how to expect difficulties, along with the encouraging reminder of what our real purpose is. It would have taken me two or three typed pages to say the same thing.
Thank you,
Tanya (Dillon mom to Kate Joy, ffd 11-12-06)

[Tanya]

I'm sorry, I thought my email would be displayed with my comment. You can answer me at tanya@fiferfamily.com. Thank you.

[Kim Schrink]

Tami,
As I sit here devastated about the news we got today, I email you and you tell me to read your blog! The news we received today was not news to God!He knew that we would not get good news.He laid this post upon your heart! He was talking through you my dear friend... using you to minister to so many of us..it just so happens that I would be the one to need to read this today! To draw closer to him, to lean on him, to trust him even in this time of hurt! Thank you for praying for me dear friend, and thank you for loving these children so much! I love you Tami!

[The McMurphys]

Thanks for the reminder. We are LID 12-11-06 for China through Dillon. At the rate they are going we may not see our daughter's face until 2012, we could've adopted 2-3 children by then! We are filling out the SN list, hopefully Dillon will get approved for that.

This blog post was just what I needed.

Thanks,
Lori