"There are no unwanted children, just unfound families."

Nice to meet all of you new, and old, friends. Here are some of my thoughts on adoption (some of you may have read this via my personal blog here but for those who don't I thought I'd share).

It's National Adoption Month.

Adoption is an issue that is near and dear to my family as my two brothers are adopted, and is becoming more and more of a passion as I work with children and families in adoption in my internship this fall.

It is an issue of social justice. There are thousands of kids in this country, and in this state, without a family to be theirs forever. They have no sense of permanency or commitment. They are waiting for mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters to love them no matter what. They are just waiting.

My eyes get to see the faces of these kids every week, but yours don't. I get to hear their pains and stories ridden with more abandonment than any of us will ever know. As human beings, citizens of this country, and as followers of Jesus, we are called to act.

To stay silent is to say we think this is okay. And it is not okay for children to go to bed wondering where they will live next year or the next day. They are desperate for the everlasting love of a family, a family that will not leave them, no matter what may come. No matter what.

Adoption is not easy, and the journey is far from smooth, but it is beautiful. It is the greatest gift you could ever give a child.

In one way or another, God calls us all to take care of the orphans, and I know that doesn't mean adoption is God's calling for everyone. But he calls everyone to act. So many of us have a lot to give. Yes, it is sacrificial, but so was God's adoption of us.

We were orphans before He made a way for us to become His children, through the greatest sacrifice of His son. As Christians we now have a forever home and family in Jesus Christ. His sacrifice was the greatest, and He asks us to sacrifice for others. How much of us have the love, time, money, and commitment to give, but are just too selfish to do so?

Let's take some time this month to think of what it means for us to be adopted as God's children, and ask God what He would have us do to love those without families.