Nobody stands in front of a church on their wedding day or sits at a table and signs mortgage papers without having seriously considered the implications of what they’re about to do, but everyone who ends up in those situations has ultimately concluded one thing – it’s worth it. Consider your successes how hard or easy was to be obtained honestly after hard decision follows success and celebration.
The same is true for caring for caring for OVC’s – it will cost you. Maybe some money, certainly some time, definitely some energy, and absolutely some emotion, convenience and comfort. No one ever said, “I want to care for them so that my life will be the same.” No. Nothing will be the same. Everything changes because of it. It’s important to be aware of the costs; to not go into this with rose colored lenses on. Yet, at the end of the day, we must accept the costs to us as worth it for the gain a child may receive. This is exactly what Jesus has done for us. He joyfully laid down the infinite value of His own life so that we might know the immeasurable worth of being fully and unconditionally loved in Him. Caring for OVC’s and adoption are beautiful expressions of that gospel. They demand a selfless, costly and potentially painful love for the sake of a child gaining much as we willingly give all. As we labor to love with the love we ourselves have received from Jesus, we do so in a cloud of uncertainties and unknowns, but with the confidence of one guarantee – it’s always worth it. A child is always worth the process and more valuable than the costs.
Always If you keep thinking about it, talking about it and praying about it, that’s probably a sign that you would be great at it and just need to do it. The issue for many isn’t whether or not they are “called” to foster or adopt and care for those in need, but what it will cost them if they actually do it. It’s easy sometimes for Christians to hide their insecurities, concerns and fears under the veil of spiritual language, claiming they’re still “praying about it” and determining whether or not they are “called” to do it, when that matter has already been resolved by God in His word and in their hearts. At the risk of sounding unspiritual let me suggest this: certainly not for all, but definitely for some, perhaps the most spiritual thing you can do is stop praying about whether or not you should do it – and just do it, choosing to believe that the costs you will incur will be worth it for the gain a child may receive. I know this is not where everybody is, but I also know this is where someone is. Perhaps that someone is you.