I learned early on that the only thing constant in life is change. I’ve also learned that with change, comes inevitable uncertainty. In fact, our faith includes uncertainty. We cannot know God fully, nor can we know what tomorrow might bring. Therefore, every single day we make plans, promises and commitments without really knowing if we will be able to see them through or how they might turn out. That’s faith-the ability or desire to do something even though we can’t possibly know how it will end.
When the idea of writing a newspaper column was presented to me, I was quickly inspired. It has been my desire to write for people who want to go deeper in their understanding of the Bible, people who wish to challenge their belief system and explore the tough questions. I didn’t know where it would go, but I have so appreciated the dialogues with you. In an act of faith, I need to take the summer off. The Herald- Review has invited me back this fall, and as of now, I intend to accept that offer.
All my life I have wanted a family, and well, here I am 40 and single. I’ve thought about adoption throughout the years, in fact, I almost adopted a teenager once... but I was scared. I knew God was calling me to use the deep desire for family, but I didn’t want to do it alone. So I hid behind excuses, “I can’t handle the pressure of being a single mom,” was used most often. Trust me, I found all sorts of reasons why being a single mom would be too difficult. And so, I went about my life, happily loving and embracing God’s intention for the church family. It’s been a great many years (14 to be exact). But something is, and always has been, missing. I have felt incomplete for a very long time.
It was May 17, 2016, when God used my friend’s voice to take the bushel basket off the flame I was hiding deep within my soul. I can adopt. And turns out, my son is waiting for me in India! When I began the adoption process, I didn’t know what would happen. And even now, I don’t know the extent to which my life will change, but uncertainty brings about faith, and I am willing to go wherever it leads me.
You may wonder why I chose to adopt from India. The obvious answer is that India is where my son was born! The decision to look for him there included the fact that I’ve always been drawn to the places of greatest need. India has millions upon millions of orphans, and there’s not much hope for the children who don’t find forever families. Further, I honor the rich diversity of the Indian culture and I will easily bring that into our family structure. As I prepare to travel in June to bring the newest American citizen home, I anticipate the potential needs of attachment and bonding that will take place this summer. And that’s why I have chosen to take a break from writing…I’m going to focus on my family…getting to know my little boy and helping him to feel safe and secure with me. I have faith in the process.
You’ll likely see us out-and-about if you live in the Grand Rapids area. Feel free to say hello. I am excited for my son to explore the world, and you are all very much part of that. Together, we are a community. We are given an incredible opportunity each time we awaken to a new day. We can learn from one another, we can set aside our own prejudice and judgments and we can treat the world with kindness. The world really is a more beautiful place when we follow this example of Jesus Christ. Jesus embraced people, all people, and he shared with them love, grace, and welcome. We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but with the direction of Christ, we can have faith that the good intentions of God will abide.
When the idea of writing a newspaper column was presented to me, I was quickly inspired. It has been my desire to write for people who want to go deeper in their understanding of the Bible, people who wish to challenge their belief system and explore the tough questions. I didn’t know where it would go, but I have so appreciated the dialogues with you. In an act of faith, I need to take the summer off. The Herald- Review has invited me back this fall, and as of now, I intend to accept that offer.
All my life I have wanted a family, and well, here I am 40 and single. I’ve thought about adoption throughout the years, in fact, I almost adopted a teenager once... but I was scared. I knew God was calling me to use the deep desire for family, but I didn’t want to do it alone. So I hid behind excuses, “I can’t handle the pressure of being a single mom,” was used most often. Trust me, I found all sorts of reasons why being a single mom would be too difficult. And so, I went about my life, happily loving and embracing God’s intention for the church family. It’s been a great many years (14 to be exact). But something is, and always has been, missing. I have felt incomplete for a very long time.
It was May 17, 2016, when God used my friend’s voice to take the bushel basket off the flame I was hiding deep within my soul. I can adopt. And turns out, my son is waiting for me in India! When I began the adoption process, I didn’t know what would happen. And even now, I don’t know the extent to which my life will change, but uncertainty brings about faith, and I am willing to go wherever it leads me.
You may wonder why I chose to adopt from India. The obvious answer is that India is where my son was born! The decision to look for him there included the fact that I’ve always been drawn to the places of greatest need. India has millions upon millions of orphans, and there’s not much hope for the children who don’t find forever families. Further, I honor the rich diversity of the Indian culture and I will easily bring that into our family structure. As I prepare to travel in June to bring the newest American citizen home, I anticipate the potential needs of attachment and bonding that will take place this summer. And that’s why I have chosen to take a break from writing…I’m going to focus on my family…getting to know my little boy and helping him to feel safe and secure with me. I have faith in the process.
You’ll likely see us out-and-about if you live in the Grand Rapids area. Feel free to say hello. I am excited for my son to explore the world, and you are all very much part of that. Together, we are a community. We are given an incredible opportunity each time we awaken to a new day. We can learn from one another, we can set aside our own prejudice and judgments and we can treat the world with kindness. The world really is a more beautiful place when we follow this example of Jesus Christ. Jesus embraced people, all people, and he shared with them love, grace, and welcome. We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but with the direction of Christ, we can have faith that the good intentions of God will abide.
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