We'd Love to Adopt ... If We Could 'Afford' It!"

I've been wanting to share my heart about this for a long time, and now I know the time is right. I'm going to leave most of the talkin' up to my friend Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity because she has such an eloquent way of putting things. I'll say that I share her heart and wholeheartedly agree with her thoughts on 'affording' adoption.
Truth is, we spend our time, money and resources on what's really important to us. As Americans, somewhere along the way we've developed an entitlement attitude. We think we deserve such-and-such.
I can't tell you the number of people who have said to me, "We'd love to adopt, if only we could afford it." Let me tell you in all the adoptive families I know, there are probably a hand full who had the funds at their fingertips (and we're not one of them).
This post is not meant to convict anyone. It's keeping it real ... for me and anyone else who needs to be real.
See, I've been wanting to redo my kitchen walls. Every time I take birthday pictures of my kids, I see the lovely ivy wallpaper I so carefully chose and applied ten years ago when we built this house. Thing is, my kitchen is a big room and it will cost a lot to redo the walls! There's nothing wrong with the wallpaper, other than I want something more modern, updated, upgraded! Even if I could afford it right now, should I do it? I mean, I know two other families within minutes of my home who are adopting internationally, and I'll bet they could use the funds it would take to paper my kitchen! We're still praying for God to reveal how He's going to creatively provide for the rest of our journey - and I don't think He wants me to repaper my kitchen and sell admission tickets :) We know He will continue to provide all we need, just as He has in the past!
I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, we've never had money set aside for adoption, but when the Lord called us in obedience He didn't intend for us to 'have all our ducks in a row.' He wants us to depend on Him! He wants to receive the glory! We believe in our case if we'd had the funds at our disposal, He would not receive the credit, or we might not have stepped out in faith in the first place.
I've recently finished three books that have given perspective to obedience and how we spend our resources: Crazy Love, Wild Goose Chase, and Brother Yun. None of these guys drive a bigger car or live in a bigger house just because they can - or even if they could. In fact, they're all about down-sizing so they can give away what's left. Now that's not a concept we're familiar with!
Like so many folks, I struggle with materialism. I DO work hard! But does that mean I deserve something more for myself? Not according to God's Word. When I came to the realization and understanding that it all belongs to Him, it helped me change perspective. We DO need more room in our house. But we are not going to build on. We DO need a bigger car. But we're not buying one! All of those things would be for our own comfort. We are plenty comfortable now. We've given up a lot, but we haven't sacrificed! We don't know the half of what it means to sacrifice. We haven't given our lives to profess our faith; we haven't left our air-conditioned home to move halfway around the world to share the Gospel; we haven't lost a child in the war ....
The question I'm asking myself is, "What does God think of what I'm doing with what is His?" How am I taking care of His things? His children?
His Word doesn't say to care for the orphan ... when you can afford it, or whatever you do for the least of these, when you have plenty, you do for me. Ref: James 1:27; Matthew 25:40; Phil 4:12; Gal 6:3; 2 Cor 5:15; James 1:17; Matthew 6:19-21.
What I am 'entitled to' I do not want! What I want, I am not entitled to! I must follow in obedience, keeping my eyes on Him as my Provision!
Our Motto: We don't have retirement, but our investment keeps growing! :)
Don't forget to check out Linny's blog! You'll love it!