Biblical Foundation for Adoption

I have thought a lot about this subject since we first started really discussing adopting. I've scoured God's word to find what He has to say about it. And since I have, I can say that I sincerely believe that He would have all who are able participate in adoption.

I'm so interested in how often the bible talks about who God is in conjunction with Him caring deeply for the orphaned.

• "...You have been the helper of the orphan." Ps. 10:14

• "He executes justice for the orphan and the widow and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing." Deut 10:18

• "A Father of the fatherless and a Judge for the widows is God in His holy habitation." Ps. 68:5

• "The Lord protects the strangers, He supports the fatherless and the widow, but He thwarts the way of the wicked." Ps. 146:9

• God has offered salvation to us through His son... WE are adopted!!

I believe God our Father deeply understands what it would be to be lost without the protection that parents are meant to provide for us. Because He understands, He cares. And because He cares, He protects, supports, fathers, and helps children who are alone. Doesn't it make sense that if it is a part of our Creator's character that He would call us to make it a part of ours as well?

• "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me." Mat. 18:5
  

• "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me;I was sick, and you visited Me;" Mat. 25:35,36 "...Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." Mat. 25:40

• Regarding the "capable wife": "She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches her hands to the needy." Prov. 31:20

• "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27

• (This verse in particular interests me because it says THE womb, not MY womb.) "Behold, children are a gift fo the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward."

If you want to read more about the biblical foundation for adoption, you can go to http://www.ppl.org/adopt.html . I personally thought it was pretty interesting. :)


I am so thankful that God has given me a heart for adoption. I've got a feeling that this little boy is going to be a HUGE blessing!

Applying

Well... the process has begun! WE ARE ADOPTING!!!

Thomas and I decided in the summer of 2008 that it was time for us to adopt. The more we researched and talked about the adoption, I realized that Brenner was still very young. I didn't think I could handle two babies in diapers at the same time! So, instead of starting in the summer we set a goal of turning our application in by the January 1st, 2009.

We submitted our application yesterday, and I almost can't believe it. We have officially started the process... wow! I received an email from our agency this morning saying that we should hear from them within two business days as to whether we have been accepted or not.

For everyone that doesn't already know, we are looking to bring home a boy younger than Brenner. We plan to name him Bear. It's funny how much hearing that name already means to us considering we haven't even met our son yet.

Thanks for reading, and please continue to pray for our family. I'll try to be diligent about keeping you all updated!