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“If I forget that the way of the cross leads to the cross and not to a bank of flowers; if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking so that I am surprised when the way is rough and think it strange, though the word is, ‘Think it not strange,’ ‘Count it all joy,’ then I know nothing of Calvary love.” –Amy Carmichael
Little footsteps pitter-pattering around the house. Giggles echo throughout the rooms. Soft, lingering hugs that melt the heart. This is the life of our sweet Hannah Hope.
Our family recently celebrated the third anniversary of her adoption, and we don’t do any sort of cake or fanfare. However, with our three older children, Glen and I like to reflect on how God led her to us, what we adore about her, and what she has taught us through adoption.
A Different Course
I remember so vividly that day on March 7th, 2018. We lived in Texas, and the kids and I had just finished school for the morning. I noticed a missed call with voice mail from our Foster/Adoption Agency. A baby girl, 4 weeks old, was in the neonatal unit at the local downtown hospital, abandoned by her birth mother. She was born with three drugs in her tiny body, and the nurses had been giving her slow doses of morphine to help wean off the effects from the drugs. As I listened to the message, a sense of peace flooded my soul. Something was different about this baby. Strangely I knew all the prayers I had spoken to the Lord for years had culminated into this one moment.
Later that afternoon, as I walked into the neonatal unit, I beheld her for the first time. Gazing at her tiny body, I was already filled with such love for her. I held her. I slowly rocked her. I prayed for her. For a week and a half, I visited her several more times until we could finally take her home. What a joyous day that was when all of us took turns holding and kissing her on our couch! Then like a flash of lightning, the next ten months flew by as we met with social workers, health professionals, and court officials. Oh, and the military moved us to South Carolina in the midst of it all. Thankfully by the end of January, she was ours forever. Looking back, every single step was orchestrated by our faithful, loving Father. It was as if we were on string following His lead through all the ups and downs.
Here we are now three years later, and our family is different. Who knew adoption would change us so profoundly? She exonerates silliness, energy, and other myriads of emotions. With abandon, she will go to any of her siblings for a hug, tickle, or help. But before I go on and on, sounding like it’s all roses and rainbows, there is reality. Not surprisingly, we deal with selfishness, impatience, and complaint. Why? Because life is not supposed to be always comfortable when we choose to step out in faith. The reality is, it’s the hard things that change us. And sanctify us to be more like Him. Isn’t that we truly desire deep down anyway?
Grander Gospel Story
And yet within this fabric of everyday life with Hannah is the grander gospel story of God who sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us from the hell/darkness of our sins and adopt us as His own children (Eph. 1:4-5). What love undeserving! If He had such astounding Calvary love for us, how can we not impart this same love (although tainted in our sinfulness) for the least of these that desperately need our help (James 1:27)? If the orphans matter to Him, they should matter to us.
Although I know not every Christian couple/family has the means to adopt, I pray that more and more step out in faith and open their hearts to this great need. Yes, there are the horrific statistics of abortion, and we should fight for life. But the children in our foster care system need our attention as well. We must come to the realization that adoption not only changes the course of these children’s dark world, but it changes us too…for the better. We become more dependent on Christ as we wait, seek His guidance, and trust Him with all the unknowns. Nothing is in vain. For we seek treasures in heaven, which are lasting and eternal (Matt. 6:19-21).
Glen and I sometimes discuss how we will tell Hannah about her adoption story when she starts asking questions. We can’t wait to share about how God formed her together in her birth mother’s womb, how He saw her, protected her, and gave her to us as His precious gift. This will not be a story of darkness but of great joy. Our older three children have made comments about how they hope to adopt in the future as well. Whatever the Lord has in store, without a doubt, Hannah continues to impact lives around her. One day, prayerfully, her faith will become her own, and she too will share the gospel story with the world.
