An Offensive Post about Adoption

This morning I went to meet my high school friend at her home, the orphanage. She lives on the 13th floor with lots of school-aged kids. The 12th floor houses all the babies. I've never been inside the 12th because the door remains locked and they don't welcome visitors. For a good reason: they've had trouble with human trafficking. 

Today I got a peek into the 12th. Rows and rows of cribs with babies inside, lying on their backs below white walls. Waiting for a family. Just a few months ago these babes were inside their mother's wombs, constantly cradled, warm and fed. Now they are alone most of the time.

Where are the families? How many of you reading this could bring an abandoned child into your family, make her your own daughter? But you haven't yet. Perhaps because you're unaware. You don't know that there are rows and rows of babies waiting on the 12th floor.

Or maybe you haven't pursued adoption because it's too expensive. Would you feel offended if I suggested... Sell the boat/cabin/land/airplane/motorcycle/camper? Don't build the house? Don't buy a nicer car? Don't replace the couch? Skip the trip to Mexico this year. Maybe don't put the boys in the most expensive travel team/sports camps? Enough new clothes and shoes. For heaven's sake stop getting your hair, nails and toes done for one year...and save a life instead. I'm sorry you're offended. After seeing those kids today, I just felt someone had to say something. They have nothing. Not even the arms of a family member to rest in.

Or maybe you think it's inconvenient. What else is this life for besides "to do justly, and to love mercy..." (Micah) or "look after orphans and widows" (James). If you are not fighting for justice, showing mercy, looking after orphans and widows, you've got a seriously lopsided faith. (Offended again, sorry).

I wish everyone of you reading this would consider adopting a child. I know some of you really, truly aren't called to. But I wonder if many of you think that God is going to call you specifically, when in reality, He has already called you. Let me lay it out again "do justly, love mercy" (Micah) "look after orphans and widows" (James). Small sampling.

And for those who really, truly aren't called to bring a lost child into your home, I wonder if you would consider supporting others who terribly want to adopt but are hindered, usually by the cost.

I also thought...you know what's really ironic? I bet some of you have adopted a dog or cat from the local shelter. That's cool, but have you given some real, serious thought to adopting a human child?

There are an estimated 150-200 million orphans in the world. If you saw the waiting, abandoned babies on the 12th floor you'd be writing an offensive blog post about adoption too. It's not my intention to affront anyone, still some of you may be put off because I'm saying 'use some of your wealth to take care of little ones who have nothing and no one', and 'it's everyone's responsibility to look after orphans'. This may be hard to hear, but I am speaking the truth in love. Furthermore, I know that you don't regularly see orphans in orphanages. I am here to tell you that kids are in bad situations and waiting for a home.