Why would God “guide” some children to loving adoptive homes and other, equally innocent, children to abusive adoptive homes? Really, that seems pretty careless to be God’s doing. Wouldn’t you think He would do a better background check? He is omniscient, after all.

Two Fridays ago, as I dropped off yet another immigration packet update at our agency, I stumbled into an adoption placement. The director of my agency and I shared smiles during the paperwork hand-off as a young couple became parents for the first time, just a few feet from me. During my brief, two-minute visit, I watched the faces of those standing in the room, so filled with joy and hope, absolutely awe-struck while gazing at this three-month-old infant.

And what she’s learned these past five years as my daughter is that I pretty much drop everything to talk with her when she brings up the topic of adoption. When she says “I miss my Abu (her name for her foster mother),” I stop what I am doing, get down at her eye level, offer a hug and wait. I make no apologies for this… it’s what she needs. Except when she doesn’t.

” What are we going to do to celebrate National Adoption Month?”
My answer is usually a wistful , “Sleep until December?”

I mean really, if I could avoid the whole month, I would. It’s not just that it is National Adoption Month. It’s not just that every time I turn around someone is discussing, usually with complete ignorance, how adoption is just so wonderful for everyone.

Birthmothers don’t lend well to the celebrations.