Here is John’s comment in response to my post on ‘advantages of adopting older kids”:
"The folly of this adoption business, unless you are doing it for your own selfish reasons, would it not benefit more of the millions of kids if you were to spend the money in the source country, rather than spending an awful lot of money to look after few kids in America ?If you ask me, you are introducing inequities and resentments to the unlucky once who were not selected.I find the whole business unchristian,Before you critisize, I do my bit and sponsor quite a few orphans in their own countries."
Here are a couple of biblical quotes that show the Christian precedence for adoption:
James 1
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Ephesians 1: 3-Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory….
It should come as no surprise that the two times Paul referred to God as Abba are also the times he described our adoption by God. God sent his Son to redeem us, and God sent his Spirit to confirm his love in our hearts to create a bonding with our Heavenly Father, enabling us to come as children before him and say "Daddy."
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing...they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come. Isaiah 35:1,2a-4a
A father of the fatherless... is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families.. Psalm 68:5a,6a
Jesus was himself adopted by Joseph
Moses and Samuel were adopted
Mordecai adopted Esther
We cannot all adopt children and I cannot possibly change the circumstances in all of the countries that house the 100 million orphans of the world. But in believing the Word and what it says…I chose to DO what God has called me to do personally in adopting His children (more specifically the 4 I have adopted). I do think we also need to try hard to change the world so that one day there will be no more orphans. In the meantime, we need to take care of the children who are suffering while "waiting on the world to change" (John Mayer). I also will be bold enough to say that He is calling many that have to fight and battle to DO what the word and God is calling them to do to adopt. It doesn't help them to acheive GOd's will when they are attacked with people who tell them they are unchristian in adopting. Sponsorship is another option. Missions, helping to change governments is helpful too. But Adoption is a very very Christian concept and one I feel a need to defend for my Lord.
6 comments:
You are right Deanne. Caring for orphans (and all less fortunate) is something God calls us to do.
Your commenter is right in that more should be done in those places where poverty and disease create these orphans.
We all should do what we can, whatever that may be, to heal the poverty and sickness everywhere in the world... to help prevent more children finding themselves without a family.
For the children that are already alone, already without families - what better way to care for and support them than to love them and give them a family? Even if we all donated all of our money to the orphanages to make them the most beautiful, healthiest, most educational and wonderful places.... growing up in an orphanage cannot compare with the love of a family.
Such a vast problem requires both long term and short term solutions. Adopting children helps address these children's situation RIGHT NOW while we continue to chip away at the long term goal.
Thank you for defending what is right and what is from the Word. I don't know what John's "real" issue is, but the people who adopt...should they send that money straight to the country a lot of times does not go to where the need is. Or it makes a dent for a minute, and the primary problem still exists, or the mother who died or who has relinquished that child really does want more for that child, so they offer their child out of pure love for that child. Most of us who adopt have so many reasons for doing it...and they all should be looked at. The problem in 3rd world countries is bigger than our donations. Bigger things need to change, so....in the meantime, we are answering prayers of the mothers and families who have given them up willingly.
It is so true that adoption is a Godly principle with many biblical references. I see John's point, but as has already been said, donations and sponsorships only go so far. What about those orphaned children who will never be sponsored, who will grow up without the love of a family, and without the education to prevent the cycle from repeating itself?
Adoption is not the only option, but it is one that can make a difference for the child. Our hope is that our children will want to return to their homeland one day to do humanitarian work...maybe become medical personnel or missionaries that can really start to end the cycle. Something has to end the cycle! Even our bio children are feeling called to want to help others now. Our daughter plans to join the Peace Corps...which came about after we decided to adopt from Ethiopia and she saw the need that exists out beyond her bedroom window.
You can't change the world with the attitude that John has, but in Godly love, we can.
I am sorry that you received that post. Adoption is very Christian. I don't understand the nastiness in that man's post.
Your children are beautiful!!
Megan
Deanna...John must have never heard about the young man walking along the seashore, which was covered with thousands of star fish left stranded by a wave. He encountered an old man bending down, picking up one after another throwing them into the water. "Old man," he said,"Don't you know that won't make any difference?" The old man replied while throwing another.."But it will make a difference for this one." I tried to post this on your delightful blog for "John's" benefit, but did not know how. Barney
Great post Deanna. I am sorry to see that some people are not educated on adoption and how it is biblical. It is truly the heart of God. I would love to hear John's suggestion as to what should happen to the 143 million orphans in the worl if it is (un-Christian) to adopt them. Does he think that if we send them money that they will be ok, even if they don't have a family to call their own? I wonder?
Melinda
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