"I'm not called to adopt"

If I had a nickel for every time I have heard this from other Jesus lovers, we would be rich. Here's the thing - that's between you & God. He has called me to adopt and so here I am. I am always a little at a loss to what the right response to this comment might be. 

Recently, I have been thinking about this - and trying to find a good & helpful response. In the church world, the list looks like this:

• Pray
• sponsor
• support

These are all great things - but I think people need more specific things - more concrete ideas - so what do you think about this as a response:

"I totally understand that so since you clearly have a heart for the orphan, here's a list of how you can serve them"

• Bring dinner to our house next Tuesday night - so I can sit on the floor and play with my kids instead of being in the kitchen
• Pick up my kids from school on Wednesday and take them out for ice cream; they need to know that there are a lot of people that love them 
• Take my trauma child next Saturday afternoon and evening so we can have some calm family time
• Come help out tomorrow morning before school  - an extra set of hands would be helpful because I have three kids who each need 100% of my attention to deal with the transition from home to school
• Have your child invite mine over for a play date - she's lonely since her sister needs so much of my time; I would initiate this - but it's all I can do to hold things together right now 
• You know that family in town - the (insert name here) - they are trying to finish their fund raising. They sure could use a donation. Here's their address - 

The list could go on; the point is, there are tangible ways to help. So often, folks will say to me "we'll pray for you" and walk away, thinking that is enough. 

Of course we (adoptive families everywhere) need prayer. That is where it starts and ends. There is a battle that rages for our children's well being - and we stand between the enemy and our traumatized babies, trying to protect them. We rely on your prayers. 

We (same families) also need physical help. We need YOU to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

I know this - because when someone does something tangible like these suggestions (and we have had almost all of them happen recently) , it not only helps alleviate the very real challenges of doing this, it also reminds me that God has seen me. He has not forgotten me. He did not call me to this very hard place then leave me on my own. 

God saw my need - and sent YOU. With your meal. With your willingness to come at the drop of a hat to help calm the chaos. With the offer to drive over your daughter AND pick her up when she babysits to lend me a hand.

When you make your husband carry a box of my favorite candy bars across the pacific and hand deliver them to me. 

When you call me and stop by - just to say hi - and don't run screaming when a child rage begins but instead roll up your sleeves and wade into the pain of my kids with me. 

"Share each others burdens and in this way obey the law of Christ"

Not called to adopt - no problem. There's plenty else to do to!