So people ask me: Dawn if you struggle with Reactive Attachment Disorder, if you went through sooo much heart ache to bring home your babes, if you struggle with behaviors, and you have to do paperwork, fingerprints, a million copies of papers- enough to kill at least 9 trees- PROBABLY MORE!, if you had to pay and fundraise and save lots of money over the years, go through interviews with community services, have had more social workers than I even remember visit our home- probably at least 300 times, if you have had to go through loss of 2 beautiful baby girls, and you have had to endure all of the above and then some- WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU WANT OTHERS TO ADOPT?
A great question! And my typical answer is Abigail, Andrew, Joshua, Matthew, Sarah, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Michael, and Joanna. But that is only a skim answer.
The REAL ANSWER is simple- while I sit and type this right now- there are over 160 million children that are going without. Without the BASICS! Without being told I LOVE YOU, I believe in you, you can do it, I will hold you, I will cry with you, I will be happy with you, I will take care of you, I will help you learn that, I want to do whatever I can to go with you through this.
Today we talked about the Hindu religion from our World History books. We talked about the fables of India and how there was (still are in all countries to differing degrees and according to the country's customs) Caste Systems in place. What is that you ask. Well a caste system is where there are those who are at the top, middle, and bottom......oh and then there are the UNTOUCHABLES- the bottom of the bottom of the bottom.
Now in the story there were priests at the top, farmers and merchants next, then servants, and then the UNTOUCHABLES. I asked the kids about how it would be to be in the different "classes". We then talked about what those classes were in Bible Times. Then I asked- What about today? What are the Caste systems of today?
We talked about people not having clean water or food. Those who have HIV like our little Michael- but in most countries they can't get the medicines to help them live normal lives, and in ALL countries there is still a LOT of STIGMA with HIV. Those who live on the streets. Those who "smell". Those who are in need of someone to love them. To look them in the eye. Those who are still shunned because of skin color. Those who have Down Syndrome, or Autism, or other differences. And many many more- didn't take much for our children to rattle them all off.
Is is HARD? YES! You will have to get out of your comfort zone- your caste!!! YOU WILL HAVE TO BE REJECTED! You will face people who question you!!! You will hear people say why should I give to help you with an adoption or a missions trip or in feeding the hungry? WHY? Why do you want to get dirty and smelly? Why do you want to go to a third world country? Why do you want to take in "some one else's children"?
You see because in the scriptures......there are at least 283 times that the words orphan, widow, and poor show up. That is a bit more than ANYONE can ignore. You CAN NOT SAY that it is ok to not do anything for those in the UNTOUCHABLE category and still be serving the Lord. I just don't see any way around it. It is not a requirement because I don't believe works get us to heaven, but my friends- if you truly LOVE THE LORD with all your heart, soul, and mind.....you will desire to do HIS WILL. Even if it means- having to deal with hurts that scar you and your child. Even if it means getting smelly. Even if it means others will look down on you. If it means doing with way less so others can have something.
This is from James chapter 1 called Listening and Doing. I challenge you to really look at this scripture- THE WHOLE THING and tell me that you can honestly say you are not called to touch the UNTOUCHABLES!
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion 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.
Oh Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it better myself! I cannot tell you how many times I have faced adversity and had to explain to someone why I want to adopt someone elses child when I have four at home. Why I have to get a child with special needs and not a 'regular' kid. Why can't I just let someone else do it. I tell them that you may not think you are called to do this, but the Bible says we are all COMMANDED to do this. It saddens me to think about Christians who think as long as they believe in God then that's all they have to do. It is soo much more than that! Keep spreading the word my friend!!!!!!
Lori
Amen! And I love all the photos! :)
ReplyDeleteyup. Heard it all. From "christians". From family. Im so glad that I will be able to give an answer when i meet Him face to face.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote this for me, right? :)
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