Yes.

We say yes. 

We say yes to adoption. 
Not because we are
ready,
gutsy,
extra loving,
secure,
or financially capable.

We say yes to adopting children with special needs. 
Not because we are
strong,
capable,
patient,
knowledgeable,
or prepared.

We say yes to adopting children with developmental delays.
Not because we are
competent,
gentle,
even tempered,
brave,
or undaunted.

We say yes to adopting medically complex children.
Not because we are
fearless,
equipped,
trained,
heroic,
or energetic.

We say yes to adopting multiple children.
Not because we have
an extra bedroom,
a big house,
a jumbo van,
an unlimited bank account,
or parenting expertise.

We say yes to adopting older children. 
Not because we are
qualified,
unafraid,
up to it,
secure,
or valiant.

We say yes to orphan ministry.
Not because we are
noble,
well planned,
efficient,
selfless,
or adequate.

We say yes to hosting orphans. 
Not because we
like stepping beyond our comfort zones,
have free time,
are adventurous,
or won’t be heartbroken at goodbye.

Rather, we say yes because we are expectant.  Though we tremble, we expect God to take our yeses, redeem the broken, and weave a great story. 

The truth is, we might possess a few of the characteristics that the world would deem worthy reasons to say yes to adoption, orphan ministry or orphan hosting.  But, for the most part, we know ourselves to be timid, weak, ill equipped, messy and wavering.  We waffle in our decision-making and fail in our parenting.  We have every reason to say no.   

But here is the glory part.  When we utter even the weakest yes, we find God to be big.  Bigger than we once thought.  Bigger than our lack.  Bigger than our doubt.  Bigger than the needs before us.  Bigger than we can comprehend.  Bigger.  And He proves Himself good, steady, intentional, on time, able, strong, and sovereign. 

So we take our small, mustard seed size faith, combine it with what we know to be true about God, and say yes.   

We say yes because the call is whispered, or downright shouted, into our hearts.
We say yes because we want a child.
We say yes because we have love to give.
We say yes because we prefer front row seats to God’s miracle work.
We say yes because we walk by faith, even when the future makes us quiver.

We’ll never feel adequate for the call.  The circumstances will never be quite right or the timing ideal.  But with hands open and palms up, we say yes anyway.  And another crib is emptied and new chapter written.

So we say yes.  Yes to a lifetime of unqualified yeses.  Yes to moving forward in our smallness and God’s bigness.   

*special thanks to Emily Flynt, Laura Kirkland, and Sharon Ankerich for sharing photos

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