Heart Conditions

      Right after the birth of our youngest son, my husband and I both expressed that we knew that was the last time I'd carry a child. It wasn't a plan, though. The best way I can describe what we both felt was a peaceful knowledge. We would have no more children biologically. That was June of 2006. At the end of summer in 2007, we started to discuss adoption and that was the first time that my husband was open to the idea. His exact words were, "I could see us doing that someday." I remember it so well because, in the past, he always said that he just didn't think that was something he could ever do. A couple of months later, God led me to a passage in Ezekial chapter 16 about an abandoned baby girl. My desire to adopt from China had always been there, but this was the first time that I knew God was giving me that desire. In May of 2008, we prayed together about adoption and God quickly answered.
     One year later, on May 4th, we saw our daughter's face for the first time and we joyfully accepted her referral. When she was born, God began preparing our hearts for her. He had us know that we would have no more biological children -- because we already had a newborn daughter on the other side of the world. When she was abandoned on her assumed first birthday, God was changing my husband's heart about adoption. I cannot imagine the sadness and fear of a one year old child left all alone in a crowded place in a city of millions. James 1:27 states that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans ...in their distress". In her distress, God was preparing a place for her. I think of Tallis' birthparents all the time and I can't help but pray for them. If they didn't love her, they wouldn't have left her in a place where she would be quickly found. If they didn't love her, they wouldn't have kept her for an entire year. I think she was loved. And I think that they may not have had another choice but to give her up. I'm not romanticizing anything here. But, universally speaking, it's safe to say that most parents love their children.
     We are God's children, adopted into His heavenly family. He loves us enough that He hates to see the stranger, the widow, and the orphan lonely. This adoption is about God's intervention in a little girl's life. If no one else did, He heard her cry. He has a plan for her and we are fortunate enough to get to be a part of it. "God sets the lonely in families." (Ps. 68:6)

     Wednesday marked six months since we saw that beautiful face. Within a month's time, we'll all get to see it in person. And it's ALL because of Jesus Christ. He has made it possible. He didn't need our help -- only willingness to receive the blessings He has in store for us. As I've said before, God's financial provision has been nothing short of amazing. And humbling. God showed me this week that money was never an issue. It's just money. God's work is not coming up with money, it's working on people's hearts. God used the hearts of MANY to bring Tallis to her home. And wouldn't you know...she's got a heart condition. That's okay, though. I think we all do. Good thing that's God's specialty.