We are adopting internationally. Sometimes I hear from people in America (most of whom have never given two hoots about orphans) how there are plenty of children in America who need a family (the same argument is made against taking mission’s trips by people who won’t even talk to their neighbor about Jesus :-)).This is true……but let me bring a little perspective to the party.

There are some 397,000 children in the US foster system, but only 101,000 eligible for adoption. The vast majority have not been released by their parental rights to be adopted into any family. Of those eligible, 32% will wait up to three years before finding a family which is tragic and frankly, in the USA, unnecessary. All in all, though, I think the US is doing a pretty good job taking care of parent-less children!
Please read all the way to the end before you cast judgement on this post!!!

Internationally, there are some 153 million children who have lost one or both of their parents. Almost 18 million of them live in orphanages, on the street, or in other sub-par environments – some even criminal. This is even more tragic.

in 2012 (most recent stats I could find) in the whole US of A, only 7,000 children were adopted into families while over 23,000 kids aged out of the US foster care system.

The fact is, the vast majority of American families do little to nothing in a given year to impact these numbers. We might be a little too busy arguing politics on Facebook, keeping up with the Kardashians, or “following” Justin Bieber on twitter and instagram. I don’t say this to throw stones, just as a matter of fact. When only 7,000 of the MILLIONS of orphans around the world find homes in the richest, most affluent nation ever to grace the earth, the implications about what is truly important to us as a society is staggering.

Here’s the brief point. I couldn’t care less about your opinion concerning our adopting of our precious kids from Eastern Europe…….What are YOU doing to help the situation around the world?

Maybe the US foster system or adopting domestically is the right answer for you….maybe it’s adopting from China, or Eastern Europe, or Haiti, or Ethiopia…..for me it doesn’t really matter. Just do something. Don’t throw stones at those of us who are (it’s amazing what people say in ignorance). Decide to do something yourself. Here’s what I can tell you:

You’re NEVER going to be ready.
You’re NEVER going to have all the money you need. Or information. Or complete understanding. Or perfect scenario.
You’re NEVER too old to start (there are age limits to adoption – but regardless of age, you could help fund someone else or become a foster parent)
You’re NEVER going to find the “perfect” child (not sure if you remember your own imperfect biological kids!)

The question is…..will you do something? More than rhetoric? More than thinking about it? More than trying to tell everyone else how to do it? More than even praying about it? More than just throwing money at it?

This Sunday is National Orphan Sunday. I want to encourage you to ask God what He might have you do to love an orphan somewhere in the world (does it really matter, where?) and DEMONSTRATE the love we have all received from the Great Adopter.

Think about it.

Just a quick update on our progress. We have an officially APPROVED home study!! Apparently we weren’t that crazy and our social worker gave us the green light!! This is a wonderful step forward. As of this writing, Amy and I have applied for more than ten adoption grants. This has been a bit of a daunting process, as some grant forms are rather quick and simple, and others are like writing a novel – or more like an autobiography because one shouldn’t make stuff up on a grant application! I actually said a hefty “THANK GOD” when I dropped the last of these in the mail yesterday!

We made a list of all the grants and how much they contribute towards one’s adoption. Were we to receive all of them (which I’m certain we will not) the funds would be more than enough to cover the $33,000 we have left to pay. As I thought about this and silently said some prayers for God’s favor over these applications (as I’m sure nearly every other applicant is doing), explaining to God, as if He wasn’t aware, that if we don’t get some of these grants, completing this adoption will become  very difficult.  If you’re like me, we are really good at explaining to God, the creator of the universe who threw the stars in the sky, keeps the planets in orbit, and makes sure the sparrows have food, all the things He needs to do to help our situation. In this instance, as I prayed prayers I’ve prayed dozens and dozens of times, I was stopped dead in my tracks.

On this Tuesday evening, I had a little meltdown….worried about the finances (or lack thereof) at our church; worried about my family as our finances are inextricably tied to the church; and worried how we will pull this adoption thing off (stay with me here….this isn’t a whine-fest….I have a point!). Honestly, I was scared and fear was taking over.

What if we don’t get ANY grants?
What if giving doesn’t increase at our church and we also don’t get a paycheck?
(and the descent begins)
What if an Ebola pandemic erupts and i can’t get to my kids?
What if the blood moon thing is real and the whole world is about to collapse?
(and on and on and on it goes – hey, pastors are human too!)

It’s like the Holy Spirit grabbed me by the nape of my neck, like my grandpa used to do when I was little, and whispered in my ear, “Son, who is your source?”

Wait. What?
That’s not a word of comfort or help. Where’s the poetic Psalm or wisdom of Proverbs, or the TAKE HEART of the Gospels? “Who is your source?” That’s all I get in this moment of doom?

What i think God was really asking me, is in whom do I trust? Am I counting on the granting agencies to provide for this God-ordained mission? Am I hoping a few more families will begin to tithe and that will solve all the financial stresses at the church? Do I trust the CDC and US Government to protect my family from Ebola?

Look, there are ALWAYS many more reasons to be scared. Many more reasons to want to run away and hide. Many more reasons to just throw in the towel….to stop believing. But there’s ONE really good reason to not……

Because HE (God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit) is in control AND He is FAITHFUL and full of everlasting LOVE.

That’s it. Profound, right?
But how often, when facing uncertainty, do so many of us forget this FACT? How often do we fall into despair forgetting how amazing God is? This is so easy to do, and can be so challenging to get out of, but here’s what I’ve concluded for my uncertainties:

If we get 0 grants – God is in control.
If everyone in my church stops giving – God is in control.
If Ebola or Isis or democrats (or republicans if you’re on the other side of the aisle) wins control in the next election – God is in control.
When no one is ordering from your business and you’re scared you may have to close up shop – God is in control.
When you’ve been diagnosed with a nasty disease – God is in control.
When the WHOLE WORLD seems like it might fall apart – God is in control.

He DELIGHTS in those who DON’T STOP BELIEVING just because of uncertainty.

My faith is in God. My hope is in His ability and omnipotence to cover every possible scenario. He never promised us a nice peaceful existence with daffodils and luscious bluegrass in which to frolic. All He promised was that if we BELIEVED in HIM….we’d never thirst again….never have to worry….never have to fret….and that He would always be with us.

That’s enough for me.
I hope He is enough for you.