LIFE LESSONS: what adoption is teaching me

Groaning yet Gifted in Waiting

A couple weeks ago at church, the preacher was talking about “waiting.” Elbowing my husband, knowing what “waiting” has meant for us lately.  As he went on describing how difficult “waiting” can be, tears filled my eyes--because we’ve been in a long season of waiting--and groaning. Waiting. It is so hard. We are powerless, yet we know the One who is powerful.

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Romans 8:22

We are waiting for an adoption referral (an official match and invitation for us to travel to meet the children) for 2 boys, who are brothers, in separate orphanages. We’ve been waiting over a year to meet these sons. The waiting is miserable, faith shaking, and emotionally draining. Hope deferred truly does make the heart sick. (Proverbs 13:12) We mostly feel a mixture of helplessness and hope that we will able to adopt them. Every day is filled with new hope and repeated disappointment.

Waiting makes us groan but it is also a gift.

Flash forward 11 months, and fly over the enormous mountain of paperwork, fees, fundraising, and learning everything we could about adoption. This process has been beautifully gifted with God’s presence, His provision, and His power.

His presence:

I’ve never felt such deep comfort and tender care from God as I have experienced this past year. His nearness and help has come at the perfect moments. I know He is with me, loving and guiding my heart in waiting. When the waiting is especially hard, my groaning has been met with tender reminders that He is holding all things together. He is loving these sons more than I can. Comfort through scripture reminds me that all the members of my family, near and far, are being helped. 

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

His provision:

We had to raise the money to cover costs. Having never fundraised before, we were timid yet trusting that God would provide what was necessary for the adoption. We invited our community to help us. It has been amazing to see God provide! Through bake sales, garage sales, donations, grants, and many loving acts of service we have received everything needed for our adoption journey. Our faith in God’s promise to provide for His children is secure and grateful! 

His power:

Waiting to adopt has proven to be a gift of seeing God’s power at work. We are not messiahs; we are adoptees into the Messiah’s family. He has given us His own name—we are “in Christ”. We are but one family called to just one part of the Messiah’s mission in the world, adoption. We’ve seen His power to change us, comforting, providing financially, blessing us with community, calming our weary and worrying hearts. His power has given us His spirit to guide us through making wise decisions and giving us strength to endure the waiting.

What a gift this waiting has been! We groan, yes, but we know that our God is powerful and attentive to us as we wait. He is faithful!

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4

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Trisha Wilkerson (Seattle, Washington) Christian, wife to Mike (pastor at Mars Hill Church), momma & homeschooler to 4 almost 6 (adopting two boys from Latvia), and author of Everyday Worship, Our Work, Heart, and Jesus http://tinyurl.com/mm5822j 

**As you read this, the Wilkersons are in Latvia for the adoption of their sons!  Please join the Joy in the Journey ministry as we pray for an amazing trip and smooth transition for this sweet family!**