A Baby Can Change the World

I hinted in a recent blog that our family might get bigger. For months, Kevin and I have been discussing the idea of adopting a baby. A year and a half ago, we took all the classes to become foster parents, but stopped short of getting certified. What it really came down to–when thinking of getting elementary school-aged kids–was that our children would be sharing their rooms. One of the main discussions in the fostering classes centered around how much safer it is for your own children if they have their own rooms.

I think I’ve said this before, but we strive not to parent by fear. However, we also were impressed with the reminder that our first priority is to protect the children that God has already given to us. So we never completed the home study.

As a writer, I fiercely protect my writing time, which is when the kids are in school and Kevin’s at work. That allows me to fiercely protect my family time as well. We were leaning toward school-aged foster children because of my writing.

But lately …

Lately, I want a baby! Yesterday a friend called and told me about two young (15-months old and 2-weeks old) girls who needed a home. My heart leaped at the possibility. Before I called Kev, I prayed that God would give him the answer I needed to hear.

“Wow,” he said. “You’d be the one it would affect the most. If you think we’re up to it, I’m for it.” This was after about two minutes of discussing the possibility!

He’s right. My world would change. My hours would not be mine any longer. No more sleeping in. Really, no more sleeping through the night! The living room would once again be overrun with baby paraphernalia. Our family wouldn’t even be able to all fit in one car.

My life is really so simple and easy right now. Busy, yes, but not complicated. Do I really want to give up all the freedoms that I have? Over and over, I hear the song–can’t think of who sings it–with the verse that says, “My life is a sacrifice …”

I’ve got maybe 70 more years on this planet. Is my purpose here to have a neat, simple life with strict hours set aside for writing? I’m sure I’ll have eternity to exercise my creative impulses, but I won’t be able to change a child’s life. And that’s the truth. My life, my world, would change, but our family’s sacrifice could minister to a child’s heart. Set those two ideas on a scale and see which one wins out.

This whole thing might be premature, as I haven’t even spoken with the case worker yet. But I love turning the possibility over in my mind.

Last night I stayed up until 2 AM because a friend sent me a link to a blog about how a baby changed the world. (Thanks, Jen!) If you want to read a testimony about how every life is precious to the Lord, click over to Bring the Rain. At the top left of the blog, there is a welcome to new readers. Click the link to begin at the beginning and follow a family as they shine brightly while going through a very dark time.

The Bible says that joy comes in the morning. In this case, joy comes in the mourning.