He wanted to ask a 'personal question' : How much do they cost?
CJ did an awesome job of evading the question by sharing our testimony and some of the miracles the Lord has worked in our lives.
The man asked again: How much do they cost.
CJ shared that we've never had the funds to adopt, that less than one year ago we began the process without 1 dime. ( I remember the day we gave thanks and praised the Lord for what He was going to do!)
The man asked a third time: So how much do they cost?
Finally, CJ told him the average cost for our adoption processes, to which he replied, 'Wow, you must believe in God!'.
The conversation continued and the man was invited to church to see other amazing ways that God is moving.
Maybe the real question is: How much are they worth?!?!
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it". Matthew 13:45-46
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
perfect.
ReplyDeleteOur adoption agency does an income-based scale which I think is wonderful. That's what I usually tell people if they ask. Sometimes I want to tell people that our domestic adoption probably cost less than the hospital bill for a birth. But that question and "where did you get him" always catch me a bit off guard.
ReplyDeleteUgh why are there so many morons in this world. Really people! Glad, I have a husband like yours because what I have to say is usually not as nice!
ReplyDeleteok, I'm going to admit it. Years ago (ten or so), I asked someone the same question. I knew it was a personal question, but there was a calling on my heart. It wasn't time, of course, but I was beginning to be curious and ask questions. Sometimes, I suppose, when people ask these questions, it may be because they're hearing a call but they're clueless as to how to get information. Your husband's responses were perfect!
ReplyDeleteGod always allows people to ask questions. It is our opportunity for us to let them see God through us. I have had many personal questions asked of me that really were no ones business, but I also realized it was an opportunity for people to see the grace and love of God through me. For me to complain about their questions seems to be a complaint about God. As Sincerely Mama said - many times we ask personal questions that God has put on our hearts. - and who is more personal than God.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thanks for the comments. I need to clarify that I'm not complaining about the question - only how it's worded. And probably before the Lord spoke adoption into our hearts I might've asked it the same way. We actually welcome adoption related questions as open doors to share the Lord's heart. But I don't think it's appropriate to ask how much 'a child costs'. Just my opinion :)
ReplyDeleteWe get this question so often... I think living very rural where our children seem to stand out a bit more seems to make it feel more ok to ask questions. We have many friends who have never been ask such questions that live in bigger places but we have been ask some wild ones!
ReplyDeleteI love the way your husband answered. For us, we share form the perspective for all our children and God's calling- our two bio children where both NICU babies so from a dollar perspective- the cost of adoption was much less if you are talking dollars. We always try to handle it from... when God calls, he makes a way and that it is very possible for anyone that God calls. I always try to feel out if there is really interest in adoption or if it is just crazy asking.
Thanks for being a light for what God can do!
We get this too- don't they get what an odd question it is- honestly it would be better of they at least rephrased it and stated they were interesting in adopting...
ReplyDeleteHubby did a good job in bringing it back to Jesus! After all that's what it's all about!