Saturday, January 1, 2011

Don't let the cost stop you


On a pretty consistent basis I get emails from people asking questions about funding an international adoptions. The one piece of advice I have for them is to NOT LET THE MONEY BE THE THING THAT STOPS YOU.

In my life time I have learned that when God calls us- He will provide. Our job is not to have it all figured out. Our job is to simply say ‘Yes Lord’ through our obedience, hard work, sacrifice and faith.

Only, that isn’t always so simple… because often our unbelief gets in the way, or sometimes it’s our pride, or our fear. Or perhaps, for some, we expect it to come easy since God has called us to it. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

With Aleigha and then Mya’s adoption from Guatemala we worked HARD. We sacrificed, went without, fund raised and prayed. Through these experiences God taught us what truly mattered. He taught us humility. He taught us how we could live on way less than we thought. While raising the funds was one of the most difficult things I have ever done- I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I believe God allowed us that experience so that we would become deeply invested. I believe He wanted to know just how much we were willing to give up, go without and sacrifice for something that that mattered to Him. God used the fundraising as an opportunity to grow, stretch and mold us. It wasn’t easy- but necessary. And because we said yes- God not only blessed us with the funds, he blessed us with friends who came along side of us and through their example showed us how to truly serve. If we had had the money in the bank all along- we would have missed out on these blessings.

Another thing that is important to remember is that Gods provision is daily- not all at once. Many of us want to see the $$ in the bank before we will say yes to God. But sometimes I think God wants to use our experiences to grow our faith in Him. If ‘we’ could do it on our own- we wouldn’t need Him. Then we would get all the credit and not God. He provides daily because he doesn’t want for us to store it all up and then cut off communication with Him. There is so much more He has for us than just supplying the funds.

With Havyn’s adoption God did allow the funds to drop into our laps- AFTER we had taken the first step in obedience. Only He didn’t stop there. Through this experience we would learn in a greater capacity the importance of accountability for what God has given us. God taught us that when he blesses us- it’s so we can bless others. With God it is never about only one person. This wasn’t about our family being given the money to pay for our adoption- it was about the importance of coming along side others- and offering what we can to further His kingdom. Hence, why the Pass It Forward Adoption fund was started.

I have also learned that many times people miss out on all that God has for them- simply because they never take that first step of obedience. If we don’t have the faith to move forward-then we are not even giving God the opportunity to provide.

As we are once again walking this same type of faith journey while raising funds to go into full time missions work in Guatemala- we cling to all that God has taught us through our adoptions. That He is the source. Daily, he always has and always will provide for our needs. Each day I get up and spend time with Him. He knows our every need and I trust that through His people He will provide for the things He has called us to do.

Nothing in this world worth anything comes without a cost. So dive in- and let the journey begin. Trust me, it will change you and challenge you. Because adoption isn’t JUST about a child finding a family- it’s about our journey to become more like Jesus by allowing Him full reign of our lives.

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:39

I couldn't close this post without mentioning the beautiful children waiting in the foster system. While I know there are different challenges in adopting out of the foster system- these adoptions are very affordable. If God has called you to adopt- please do not forget about these precious treasures.


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25 comments:

Tracy said...

Love it! I just read an awesome quote by Jen Hatmaker stating that God doesn't ask us, like Peter, to walk on water -- he just asks us to have enough faith to step out of the boat and he takes care of the rest.

Tracy said...

I'm sorry Amy - I don't know how that post got linked... feel free to delete it if you want :)

Kylee said...

Thank you for this timely post! It is a new year, and I know God is going to be asking me to do BIG things this year. I think that way too often I don't go far enough out of my comfort zone for Christ. I abandon myself just a little bit, but only go far enough out so I can continue to hold onto "me" a little bit. How I desire to be stripped fully of myself! In ways I cannot explain, I really needed to read these words tonight.

Also, a BIG thank you for mentioning the kids in the foster care system. I have four precious little siblings because of that broken system, and although the journey has been hard (and even harder for my parents) I wouldn't trade it for the world. What an amazing thing to watch God bring beauty from ashes!

Unknown said...

Beautifully said!

Love you!!!
Jill

Created For His Glory said...

Amen and Amen!
Joshua had to step INTO the water before it parted... adoption is often times similar :)
Love,
Kim

Dardi said...

Joe & I were just talking about this last night. When we took the leap of faith to bring our little boy home from Ethiopia, we felt called to "let go" of everything we held close in order to pay for it, which included selling our timeshare. I was reading in my journal from this time last year, & I had written my frustrations with why if we were obediently trying to sell it that it wasn't selling?? Well, God provided in other ways for that adoption & then right after we got home, it sold. And a few months later we brought home our sweet baby girl. His plan & timing are perfect, & I never could have envisioned it being like this!

Jennifer P said...

God can and will do amazing things with our obedience. Your writing is beautiful and faith-filled. I also appreciate your thoughts on foster care, 5 of our kids came into our hearts that way, a difficult and long journey but oh, so worth it as you know. Thanks for going before us so gracefully.

Shonni said...

Yes, beautifully said!

We Are Family said...

Beautiful and TRUTHFUL post. We know first hand about God calling and him providing. It IS a journey in faith, trust and hard work. To GOD be the Glory!

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

AMEN! That is the number one thing that people mention to me in e-mails about adoption. I think our sacrifice leads to a deeper longing....and that deeper longing....a deeper calling. Not one of just adoption, but more about our adoption and helping others to be adopted. Hope that made sense.

SECOND the motion for foster children!!!!

Erin said...

thank you for this post, it was really something I needed to hear!

Connie J said...

Amen!

Lisa said...

We are trusting in God and raising funds to bring home Anna who is 7 waiting in China. We are praying God helps us as we do not have the needed funds.

Andrew and Rachel said...

Thanks for the reminder, sometimes I need this one daily! It is amazing to watch God provide when you know He is the only one who can!!

Andrea said...

:) Praying for a miracle right now ...because money is just the thing stopping us. We need the 1200 to get the HS completed... Praying for His provision now!
Thank you for this post...praying for all of those it will touch!

Renee said...

I was writing a letter to myself just now, complaining about how everyone has wealthy friends that donate to their adoption or family that swoops in at the last second to help. We have none of that. All we have is ourselves and our little family and it hurts so bad sometimes when we try so hard to fundraise and nothing works. I was feeling sorry for myself and looked up at my blog roll and saw your post title. Amy, if you could, pray for us, we are working so hard to bring our daughter home and our spirits are low right now. Thank you, thank you for your heart and this post. But most of all, thank you for your prayers.

Love wins,
Renee Tam
5cajuns.blogspot.com

Stacy said...

I think the biggest thing God has showed us this year for sure is to put our trust in Him and not in man. Trust has for sure been a theme over and over with us on this journey, and He is faithful!

Unknown said...

I was excited to read this post from you this week! We have a few friends that have said this was the only reason that they don't adopt. It is so hard for me to have the right words for them, but this was beautiful and inspiring. Hope you don't mind, I shared it on my Facebook Group Page for our adoption. Many blessings to your family this year!

Brandi

Amanda said...

In your post you mentioned raising funds for your missions work in Guatemala, but I've never seen you mention that on your blog before. What are you doing to fundraise? How much do you still need? Is there a way your readers can help?

Smita Srivastava said...

A very Happy new year to you n ur family , loved going thru ur wonderful blog !!!

- Smita
www.littlefoodjunction.blogspot.com
(fun foods for little eaters

Unknown said...

We just took a leap of faith by applying for our first adoption yesterday, even though we don't have the money lined up that we know we will need. Thank you for your words, I believe God wanted me to read this to emphasize to us that we are on the right path.

Anonymous said...

I appreciate your post a great deal. My husband is using money as the ONLY reason to not adopt -- "we can't afford it", "will we have enough funds after the adoption to raise him/her" -- it is very frustrating for me. I have been praying for over 2 years, and I have now come up against a spiritual battle...slowly giving up adoption and prayer...it is tough, but it is where I am. I enjoy your posts...

Susan said...

Thanks for the encouragement. We are smack dab in the middle of the process and have hit a wall with fundraising. I have been literally on my knees and overcome with the huge amount we have left to pay before we can travel in March to court for our precious kiddos. You have lifted my spirits and reminded me that God will provide and He provides for everyone differently. Thanks.

Jen said...

You can't know how much I needed this today of all days. I awoke in the middle of the night, anxious. How are we going to pay for another int'l adoption, college (onee in and one about to go), high school, braces, and all the other "stuff" that goes along with home ownership anad kids? Why would I add one more to that mix? Are we streching ourselves beyond where we should go as financially responsible people? So I just prayed. What came out of my prayer...a reminder that I had just deposited an unexpected check (interest payment on a business loan).. coincidence that the Gladney fee, home study fee, and the CIS fee comes to the amount of the check? I don't think so. So I woke up with a new sense of "just put one foot in front of the other in faith." Thank you.

Unknown said...

What a perfect post for our situation. We have already adopted five children from the foster care system and were ready to get started on that again. But, we believe, that international adoption is what God has in mind for us this time. Almost immediately the palm sweats and jittery knees took hold of me. We are NOT rich. However, we ARE praying! Thank you for the encouragement.