It's not enough

I assume some people's initial thought to the announcement that we are adopting is "don't you have enough kids?" Answer: "Yes...if we are having kids for ourselves." It's not about us. If it were about us, we'd live on a tropical island and do nothing but relax and play (ok, maybe not tropical because I probably wouldn't be able to stand the heat, but that's beside the point). It's not about four kids not being enough for us. It has been a long process of God working in our hearts to bring us to this place where we desire to adopt. Yes, it will be hard and tiring and there are a lot of sacrifices we will be making as we go through this process and once we welcome a new little Paladino into our family, but our sacrifice doesn't compare to that child's loss of not having a family.

Was it enough? Was it enough that God created us? We rebelled against Him! Was it enough that he sent his only son to live among us wretched people, to be an example and encouragement to us? We hated Him! Was it enough that he did not spare his son, but gave HIM up so that WE could be purified and reconciled to him? It was not enough....He raised him from the dead to show his awesome power AND gave his Spirit to live in us!!!! And how do we respond? We forget. We pout. We want more earthly pleasures.

It's not enough. It's not enough that I say I believe. It's not enough that I say I love. It's not enough that I say I am thankful. Did you know....I was adopted. If you have entered into a relationship with the Lord, YOU were adopted! Michael and I have been overwhelmingly awed at who God is and who we are in relationship to him. We have received the Spirit of sonship, and by him we cry "Abba, Father!" We have a bursting desire to respond to his love with love. How do we show love? Obedience! We are responding to the calling he has placed on our hearts to open our home to orphans.