James 1:27 (from a 3 yr old)

Last night we went to an adoption banquet at a church in a neighboring town. It was so good to see the Lord building up laborers in this church to exhort the church to fulfill James 1:27. There was a couple, maybe in their late 40's or early 50's who is doing foster care. They have been doing it for 5 yrs and have had 21 children in their home. Their testimony was powerful and absolutely convicting, challenging, encouraging....all at the same time! Jason and I looked at each other numerous times with the look of "what is God calling us to right now?". We know that we will do foster care at some point in our life, but we aren't sure when. There's times when we don't feel that now is the best time for our family. But there's times, like last night, when we have to reevaluate and say, "WHY???". Is it that us that has decided that or is it the Lord directing our hearts? The verdict is still out on that one! :)

The family that heads up the ministry have 3 older children, 17 and up. And they just started foster care - they have a 2 month old! And they are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia!!!! They are NOT wasting their life!!!! I am so stirred and challenged by these families living pure undefiled religion!!!!

Anyhow, so that's what we did last night! :) Our children know they are adopted, but at 3 and 4, what they understand is hard to say. But this morning, as we were talking about last night, we mentioned we had gone to celebrate adoption. Then Jason asked the kids if they knew what adoption meant. Keziah busted out "it's taking care of others"!

Jason and I were both a little stunned by her answer. We've never told her that, in that way! But it was excellent exposition of James 1:27 for a 3 yr old! : ) That gave us the opportunity to go on and explain that she was right, and that it's even more than that, it's making others our "own" or our "forever son and/or daughter". It was a sweet time to be able to explain that in more detail and revisit that they were in their birthmother's womb, and they are our children by adoption, and that Karis was in my womb, and she is ours biologically. It was a worshipful and sweet time. And Samuel.....did not let the moment slip by without asking for his brother! : ) He mentions his brother at LEAST once a day! : )

We are feeling the stir in our hearts that it's time for our family to grow, but we aren't sure how the Lord wants our family to grow. Biological, adoption, foster care? We desire His wisdom for this and would love your prayers as we seek Him and His heart. We know He'll make it clear in His time!