Plan B

When I think about adoption I never think that we were originally meant to be the parents of an orphan. God brought Ashlyn into this world and He intended for her birth parents to have the blessing of raising her. Yet He doesn't just throw His hands up and go, "Oh no. Now what?" My best friend, who also has a Chinese daughter, and I talk about this quite a bit. Our God is a God of second chances and many plans. When He created this world, He fully intended for man to live in it and have the perfect life. However, since He gave man a free will, He also had to have realized that this would make for an interesting situation. Would man choose to obey or not? Well, we all know the answer to that question, and did God throw His hands up in surprise and go, "Oh No! Now what???" No. He had "Plan B". JESUS. Sometimes I can't help but ponder that age old question of "Did He know He would have to rescue us?" Of course He knew. But, did He plan it that way? Maybe. Who knows? The Bible says that His ways are higher than our ways; they are not our ways. I've been thinking hard thoughts lately. Especially as I read along with some of my favorite adoption blogs. One of my favorites is: www.ourchinastarfish.blogspot.com . This couple has made decisions that most people would look at say "no thanks" to. They have 1 biological daughter and 5 adopted children. These aren't just ANY adopted children. They are "special needs" children. As I've been reading along through their journey, I'm only getting a small glimpse into their lives, but I am so amazed at what is happening. They have made tough, sacrificial decisions, yet they seem to be full of joy. Not happiness. JOY. Their decision has made their lives harder, but better. It sounds so contradictory doesn't it? But the Bible says in John 12:25 "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life." That's a hard concept to grasp. So much about the christian life is "sacrificing" the things of this world for eternity. Yet, what is sacrifice really? We tend to think of that word in a negative light. God sacrificed His son for us, so it must not be a bad thing. Afterall, His ways are higher than our ways. Maybe the things we get all worked up over really aren't so bad. Sacrificing hard-wood floors, new furniture, and a pool for an orphan seems crazy to some, but you can't take the floors, pool, or furniture with you when you die. I can however, poor love into the life of this fatherless child and introduce her to her heavenly Father, and I CAN take that with me when I go. I'd rather have the child than the floors any day!