11 Reasons I’m Glad We Adopted

Tonight at Lebanon Road, we will hear from brother Mike Runcie. He works with Agape of Nashville. Agape does some wonderful work helping families in many areas, from counseling to foster care. They are probably most well-known for their foster care and adoption services. I hope many will be present tonight to hear Mike talk about the good work Agape does.

Since Mike is speaking tonight, I have been thinking a lot about our adoption of Mary Carol. She is a treasure, and we are so glad we went through the process. While it was expensive (oh, was it expensive!), the “payoff” can’t be calculated.

Here are 11 reasons why I’m thankful we adopted.

1. It showed us God works through providence. If you know our adoption story (and, if you don’t, I’ll be glad to tell it!), you know that far too many things “just happened” to work out. After all, from the day we were told we “couldn’t” have children until we were holding Mary Carol was a grand total of 10 weeks! Friends, that’s God working.

2. It taught us more about sacrifice. Yes, money was an issue. With the help of a very kind friend (thanks, Rickey) we were able to get a loan for the adoption that could be paid back reasonably. But, through it all, money was never at the top of the priority list. While it is an important subject, it is amazing how often we think back to that time when we are going through a rough spot financially. It helps us remember that we can sacrifice and be okay.

3. It brought a child to a Christian home. Thankfully (and I can’t say that strongly enough), Mary Carol’s birth mother did not consider abortion an option. However, raising a child away from the Lord’s Church is sad, too. We may not be perfect people, but we continually strive to teach Mary Carol about God.

4. It increased the depth of our prayer. Never before had I prayed so fervently. While I still struggle with prayer, those memories of the prayers I uttered in total ignorance linger on. They remind me of what I need to be doing more often. Leah has said the same thing many times. It is amazing what a brief period like that will do for your prayer life!

5. It gave us a heart for those who, literally, cannot have children. Turner came our way 17 1/2 months later, but we still remember those hollow feelings that come from the doctor’s lips, telling us we won’t have kids of our own. Many choose not to adopt after hearing those words, and that’s okay, too. Having heard those words, we can at least remember the emotions and help.

6. It gave us a heart for those who adopt. We are blessed to have several friends–many at Lebanon Road–with adopted children. We love talking about it and we love supporting each other when there are hard decisions to be made. We may not always have the right answers, but I pray we will always have the right heart.

7. It reminded us that we are adopted, too. Maybe the most well-received sermon I have ever presented dealt with our adoption of Mary Carol. I then talk about how the New Testament clearly states that all are adopted in God’s family, and what a blessing that is. Until you have adopted a child, those words are just intellectual. When you have adopted, though, they leap off the page with meaning.

8. It gave us a daughter. Daughters are great! There is something about that “daddy’s little girl” thing, for sure. I love Turner tons, but Mary Carol will always be “my Precious.”

9. It brought our whole family closer together. I am so grateful for my family and Leah’s family. We are close and love being around each other. However, schedules and geography make spending a of time together hard. That all flew out the window when Mary Carol was born! We ran up cell phone bills, drove hours upon hours, and did anything we could to love and support one another.

10. It made me appreciate Leah even more. When a woman hears that she won’t have children, she is hurt deeply. Leah was, and that’s no secret. But she was also completely determined to have a baby, and she trusted that God could make it happen. She talked about it constantly, and still does. After God brought Mary Carol into our life–with almost no time to prepare–Leah proved to be a Godly mother (and still is). I am amazed at her.

11. Why am I glad we adopted? Need I say more?