You Never Know

Before we began our adoption journey, we probably couldn't name more than five people that we knew who were adopted or were touched by adoption in some way. That's the amazing thing, whether you realize they exist or not doesn't change the fact that they do. Since beginning the adoption process, we have become aware of several friends whose lives have been touched by adoption. Some were themselves adopted. Some are birth parents. We have also met many adoptive families and hopeful adoptive families. Some of these people we have known a while but were never aware of their adoption story. It just goes to show that you never really know what a person is going through or has been through. You can assume alot, but you never know for sure. Many people are fighting silent battles that no one else knows. They could have many reasons for not talking about their adoption. It may still be painful to them, or maybe they've moved on from it to where they don't consider it anymore. I know when we first started our process we didn't realize how common adoption really is, so we were concerned that others would think it odd or something; that people wouldn't understand. Maybe many adoptees and birth parents have the same fear, wondering what others will think.
To everyone I say this: adoption is a beautiful thing. The circumstances that brought you to the adoption process may not be, but adoption itself is a gift, a second chance from God. It is the chance to turn a mess into a blessing. It is the most selfless gift a birth mother can give her child. There is no shame in that. Adoption is a beautiful part of God's plan for us, a direct model of our Salvation. As born again Christians we are adopted by Him as sons and daughters, co-heirs with Christ. Though we started out in a seemingly hopeless mess, through the love of Christ, we have a chance at a beautiful future. Is being a born again Christian easy? No. It is met with much persecution. We are different. We are called to be set apart from the rest of the world. Is being adopted easy? No, not at all. Adoptees face many challenges that most can not understand, separations, losses, grieving, uncertainty of who they really.
There is no easy role in the adoption process. There is no role in the adoption process that is easy. It is not easy for the birth mother to make the decision to place her baby for adoption. It is not easy on the child to hear and accept that they were placed for adoption. It's not easy to be the parent whose child is taken into care due to mistakes and circumstance of your life. It's not easy to be the child who has to cope with the changes and moves that are a part of being in care. It's not easy on Foster parents to pick up the pieces and help the child move through the process, and it's not easy explaining to the child that they won't be living with their birth families again. It is not easy on the adoptive parents either. They have to watch their child go through alot emotionally, but as good parents they are there for them... to help them, to guide them, to love them. It's hard on the social workers and agency workers too. They don't enjoy seeing children separated from their birth families (for whatever reason), but they want what is best for the child as well. Adoption is NOT easy.
We are so thankful to all of our friends who have opened their hearts to us and shared their adoption story. God has a beautiful plan for your life, and He has definitely blessed us through knowing you. Much love to each of you! :)