The Unseen Children of America – Our Role in Their Future

I asked God, “How much time do I have before I die?”
He replied, “Enough to make a difference”…
– Unknown

Do you know that almost 6,000 children are orphaned every single day around the world? And every 2.2 seconds, an orphan child is pushed out of the system into the world with no one to turn to. Is it any wonder then that we find so many young criminals and prostitutes in our society?

We read so many stories about celebrities adopting children from Africa and Vietnam. From Madonna to Angelina Jolie, Hollywood stars and politicians are tripping over themselves to adopt a child from abroad. While it is heartwarming, have you ever wondered about the children in America? In the rush to adopt from abroad, are we sidelining domestic adoption options? With teenage pregnancies on the rise in America, there are many infants and children in dire need of someone to care for them. Statistically speaking, children placed in institutions fare miserably as they do not receive the unconditional love and acceptance that only parents can provide. They invariably turn to crime or become teenage parents themselves. How wonderful it would be if believers reach out to pregnant women and teenagers who are desperate to place their babies in safe and stable Christian homes!

The Bible says that anyone who welcomes a child in His name welcomes God Himself. God sees these children and wants them to be nurtured by believing couples who will not only raise them to be good citizens, but also help expand His Kingdom by making God known them. Instead of waiting for someone to make the difference, we now have the opportunity to be the difference. If you are considering adoption, I encourage you to pray that God will lead you to the right agency and the right professionals to find the child He has chosen to bring into your family.

 
 

Adoption… In HIS Timing

Have you ever looked at another person and thought, “Has she got it made! God has really blessed her!”

She has what you want—a child to call her own, maybe great parents, a strong marriage, a spouse who loves Jesus. Maybe you envy her successful professional life, the ease of getting pregnant or adopting, or material blessings that have not kept them from loving Jesus.

Sometimes we look at the blessings from God in another person’s life with a longing to experience the same goodness. We find ourselves fighting feelings of envy or possibly even disappointment with God because we didn’t get what we consider necessary for our happiness… a child, either biological or through adoption.

Until you make Christ the center of your life, dear friend, you’ll never be satisfied or fulfilled. Remember Jesus’ words to Peter when the fisherman wanted to know His plans for another disciple? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:22)

Do not worry or concern yourself with what God has done in His timing in someone else’s life. You will only miss out on the blessing God has for you … in His timing he will bless you too. In the perfect way that is best for you with the child he has for just you.

Prayer
I confess, dear God, that I have looked upon people around me with envy, wishing to have their blessings for my own. But You have other plans for me, plans that may test my faith but that will ultimately make me perfect and complete and in your timing, which is perfect. I rest in the knowledge of Your sovereignty. In Jesus name … Amen

 
 

The Reality of Teen Motherhood

Here in the United States, media and popular entertainment seem to glorify teen pregnancy.  MTV’s reality shows “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” have become increasing popular…making celebrities out of teen mothers.  However, it seems that there may be some misperceptions here.  Teenage pregnancy is not nearly as glamorous as it may seem on TV.

Below are some strong statistics that help explain the actual challenges of teen mothers in the US.

  • 80% of teen moms are on welfare
  • Over 50% of children raised by teen moms are reported to Child Protection Services
  • Only 1.5% of teen moms graduate from college by age 30 (and only 40% graduate from high school)
  • Children raised without a father are twice as likely to quit school and four times as likely to need behavioral help
  • Children of teen parents are three times more likely to become teen parents themselves.

Perhaps it’s time to open our eyes to the seriousness of this situation.  Teen moms….there is help for you out there.   There are plenty of loving Christian families looking to adopt a child in need, and willing to help with the costs of pregnancy including medical expenses.

 
 

Five Steps to Successful Christian Adoption

If you feel you’ve been Called To Adoption, the next step is preparation.  First and foremost, you’ll want to educate yourself.  Learn about domestic adoption vs. international adoption, as well as the different types of adoptions including: closed adoption, open adoption, and semi-open adoption.  You’ll not only want to explore your options, but also begin to emotionally and spiritually understand varying adoption situations.  Once you can relate with birth mothers and other families who have adopted, you may better understand how fulfilling adoption can be…allowing you to expand your family and open your heart.

Below are a few quick steps to help you succeed in your Christian adoption:

  1. Determine the type of adoption that is best for you, including the age range and racial background of the child you want to parent
  2. Find the qualified adoption professional who will help you build your family
  3. Complete the required paperwork, profile and other requirements to become qualified to adopt
  4. Prayerfully wait for the child God has for you, using this time of waiting to prepare for parenting
  5. Joyfully say “Yes!” when you are blessed with the opportunity to adopt a child.

To help you fully prepare and educate yourself about the process of adoption, read Called to Adoption – A Christian’s Guide to Answering the Call, and for more quick adoption guidelines, check out 11 steps to realizing your adoption goals.

 
 

Place Your Trust and Rejoice

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them; let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilth thou compass him with a shield.  Psalms 5:11, 12

Let’s face it, it isn’t easy to rejoice every day, especially when you may be dealing with a wait to adopt or another round of fertility treatments and tests.  But the Bible promises that if we simply put our faith in our Savior, he will bless and protect us.  Why then is that such a challenge for Christians some days?

I know that there were days it was easy to look around at others who had what I wanted and feel that somehow I was being punished by God or was simply forgotten by Him.  Why do we do this?  The Bible is perfectly clear, just trust and he will provide.  Looking back, I know that His plan is perfect, but why is it so hard to believe in the midst of the journey??

This is God’s challenge to us.  To teach us patience, obedience and trust.  To show us that He is our Father who loves us and He wants to provide blessings for us.  We need to trust Him, not fuss and fight every step of the way.

Spend some time today meditating on this verse in Psalms and find the place in your heart and your mind where you can truly trust God, and simply rejoice.