Friday, May 3, 2013

Comfort to Courage



Our daughter Campbell is 9 years old. She is wise beyond her years. She teaches me more about Christ's love than I could have ever imagined and reveals to me so many of my insecurities through her self-confidence.  Going through the adoption process with older children is a lot different than adding to the family when they are young.  There are more questions, more involvement in decisions that need to be made, and a lot more years where it was "just us".

We were riding in the car the other day on the way to tennis practice. It was just the two of us, and she seemed a little more quiet than usual. Our family has a very communicative relationship, and when one of momma's cubs is "quiet", I usually start in with the 20 questions game.  I looked at her and said, "Are you okay?" She nodded and then said, "Mom, do you ever think about how different our family will be now that God has called us to adopt?"

(Gulp....)

I had to wonder if the child who had been begging us to adopt for over a year, was having second thoughts...if she realized that being "Daddy's Little Girl" might mean that now she would have to share him...if she kinda liked our little family the way is was...if she wanted to go on that family vacation this year, that has now been put on hold.  Then, she said this...

"I think it will be so different, but in ways we cannot even imagine.  God always knows what is best for us and He gave our family a lot of love to give to someone else.  How our life is now, just the four of us, is so good...but I know we are the perfect family for someone who doesn't have one.  I cannot even think about what it will be like, but I know it will be better."

WOW...

I told her I loved her and smiled through my tears.  I am so thankful that she is willing to talk to me about anything.  I told her that my heart was feeling those very same things.  God has called our family to adopt...not just mom and dad.

We are going from COMFORT to COURAGE.  Oh how God has blessed us, and we are comfortable with where we are.  But He gave us courage to step out in faith.  He wants so much more for us.