To Be Called

Like my new header? Simple and to the point right? It's the header I've wanted from the beginning, but Blogger doesn't have a template to do it the way I wanted it. So after some creative thinking, converting of files, figuring out how to correctly enter things, two and a half hours of trying and retrying, yada, yada, yada, and so on and so forth, I finally ended up with the header you see here. I probably know I did things the hard way. That's just how I roll. Ten years ago I had to code an entire webpage for one of my college classes. I did it once and swore I would never do it again. I completely and purposefully erased all that knowledge from my brain. Which is why I took two hours to do one stinkin header.

On to more important and controversial topics . . . I've heard quite a few adoptive parents make the comment lately that "everyone should adopt". At first I thought it was just a general comment because they were so happy as adoptive parents, but then I realized that a lot of these people are serious. They seriously think that every good citizen who is physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of parenting should adopt.

Personally, I think it's like saying "everyone should move to Africa" or "everyone should be a youth pastor". I realize that there are a huge number of children in this world in need of adoptive families that will never be adopted. Most statistics state that there are around 143 million orphans in our world. That number doesn't include children in foster and group homes. But despite this, I don't think everyone is "called" to be an adoptive parent.

How do you know you are supposed to adopt? The desire you feel is more than just a desire to help an orphan or an obligation to "save" a child. It's a desire to love and parent through the process of adoption. You feel a passion for a child that goes beyond just wanting to help out. I think that adopting out of obligation can lead to major problems in your relationship with the child in the future.

So no, I don't think everyone is called to adopt, but I do think everyone is called to help. I said earlier that there are far more orphans and foster children than adoptive homes in this world. The fact is, many, many children will live out their lives in orphanages and foster homes, and even if you aren't called to adopt you can help to make these homes safe and healthy places to live.

So, while, you'll never hear me saying "everyone is called to adopt", you will hear me adamantly stating that everyone needs to find a way to help the children both here and around the world who have no way to help themselves.

Give money, give food, give time, give guidance . . . just give something.