I met a couple who adopted three children from the U.S. foster care system. The children had experienced horrible abuse—physical and sexual abuse while witnessing the abuse of their mother as well. Their role models were boyfriends of their mom—men who modeled violence, cursing, intoxication, and exploitation of others. Fear, anger, and a feeling of abandonment are emotions they continue to battle, affecting their emotional and physical development. Intellectually, they are behind in academics, never having established study habits, and reading is something they simply do not do. They have lived with five different families—mostly with relatives who had good, but failed intentions.
The couple I met recently came forward to foster these children and have since adopted them. Their commitment to the children is a huge challenge with many heartbreaks and disappointments. They worry they may have made the wrong decision—worrying about the effect on their own biological children, their marriage, and their spiritual lives. They persist in asking God to intervene and heal the children and strengthen their family. Each day brings new challenges. The adoptive father told me he hopes the children have a far better life with them than when they were being abused. His wife grieves over her little girl who, not trusting another, shows a defiant spirit to all in authority. She worries their children will not turn their lives over to God who promises to carry their burdens for them . . .for the rest of their eternal future. They hope. They wait … for a better day.
For these adoptive parents, life itself—day-in and day-out—is a commitment first to God and then their children. Their priority is to love their neighbor and orphan children—choosing these challenges over the satisfaction of their own lives. What more could they do to demonstrate their obedience to God and to His family?
I walked away from this family telling myself there is much more I can do to help children. There is much more I can do than just giving money. I made a personal commitment to help children and made a second commitment to pray daily for the thousands of adoptive families who are helping hurting children around the globe. I pray that God will give them courage to face each new day, strength to help their children and themselves. I ask God to relieve them of the burden of fearing they are not doing enough to help, and to give them peaceful sleep so they can be rested and empowered to face another day.
Written By Bill Blacquiere
