The Expense

And what if nothing was what you chose to do

all because the cost was too much for you?

-MercyMe Best of Me

One of the biggest things people think about when considering adoption is the expense. Does my income qualify? And can I afford it?

As Christians we can have peace in knowing the Lord provides for His plans. If the Lord is calling your family to adopt He WILL provide.

When my family started our first adoption, we only had the $100 that was needed to send in our application. We stepped out with nothing and the Lord brought my sister home! Followed by six more brothers and sisters! 

It's common for us in our human thinking to count the cost in dollars. But if we truly believe that the Lord provides for ALL of His plans then the only cost we have to count, is the cost of loving a child.

The cost of loving a child sounds nice, but it's not cheap. 

The cost of loving a child is the same price Jesus paid for you. 

When you didn't want Him, He gave everything to have you. 

When you resisted His love, He still loved you.

When you rejected His care, He still loved you.

When you weren't thankful for all He'd done, He still loved you.

When you hid from Him, He sought you out and still loved you.

When you were afraid of Him, He was patient and still love you.

When you were disobedient, He instructed you, forgave you, and still loved you.

When you cried out in the night for Him, He came to you and loved you.

When you laughed, He rejoiced with you.

When you cried, He mourned right at your side.

And no matter what you did or will ever do, He will NEVER EVER leave you.

If a child is available for adoption, that means something painful has happened to them. Whether they lost their parents, were abandon, or removed because of neglect and abuse, something painful brought them to that place. Even little babies and toddlers feel that loss. They learn to take care of themselves, by hiding their hearts away from love, and not allow themselves to trust for fear of being hurt again. 

This doesn't mean you have to be a trauma expert or behavior analyzing genius to adopt a child. You're job is very simple. (not to be confused with easy) All you have to do is be there. Take care of them, love them, discipline them, and lead them to the One who will heal them. Just be a parent. 

Because the same God who moved the financial mountains to bring them home, is the same One who will enable you to be His love to them. He called them and He WILL finish the work that He has started in their life. 

To love anyone in the way that Jesus has loved you comes at the cost of losing your life. I could try and make it sound more appetizing but the truth is still the same. 

But I'll tell you this, I lost my life, and I DON'T WANT IT BACK! 

For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:25

You will have life, it just won't be your own anymore. And you'll never regret the choice you made when you gave it up.

When my little sister came home she'd never been loved before. She'd been so neglected she didn't even know what love was. 

The other day I was sorting through all the little pictures and notes my siblings give me, and it seemed that every other one was a note from her saying how much she loved me. Anyone could have looked at that little shell of a baby and labeled her up with all kinds of emotional problems. But the Lord looked at her and said "That's one's mine," and He healed her. 

If me giving my life means another can have one... how could I not?