Mom & Dad...Alien Abductors
So, we're off to China to adopt our second child. While a few family members and friends think were totally out of our minds (and they're probably right) most people are very kind and supportive...almost to an extreme. The plane hadn't even begun taxiing down the runway before we heard three different people say something very similar. "It really is a beautiful thing what you guys are doing." They open doors for you; pay for your lunch and they stare at you like you're some kind of super hero. As we were boarding the plane, the Captain even commented on our "humanitarian" effort (his words) and invited us to sit in the cockpit before takeoff. How cool is that?
Let me just say right here at the start how much adoptive families struggle with all the attention. We definitely don't feel like heroes. If anything, we feel inadequate. After two years, we still have our struggles with Toby. I'm not saying that we don't appreciate all the kind words and gestures. We really do. We wouldn’t even be on this journey right now if it weren't for your kindness and generosity. It's just that all the attention might cause people to miss why we're really doing this. It also has the potential of making us forget the feelings of the children we're adopting.
To get us prepared to bring our girl home, the adoption agency required several hours of online training. One of the speakers said something that really got my attention. She said, "When you see your child for the first time, they don't see you as 'the knight in shining armor' who has come to rescue them. Instead, they see you as 'an alien abductor.' To that child, these strange looking people with big noses and pasty white skin are taking them away from everything familiar." The speaker went on to say, "What we might consider horrible living arrangements actually brings them great comfort. The orphanage is all they know." That rocked my world! Let's see, "Hero" or "Alien Abductor?" I'll take 'hero' any day! I have in fact taken this child from a horrible situation, but unfortunately that's not how I will be viewed by this precious child.
An hour into our flight to Beijing, I decided to watch a movie called The Martian with Matt Damon. I've wanted to see the movie anyway so I figured it would be a nice start to our 24-hour journey. WOW! It kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a story about a Mark Watney, a Botanist-Astronaut who had to fight against all odds to survive in a very different...difficult environment. It was a two-year constant reminder for Watney that Mars definitely was NOT his home.
It’s another brutal reminder that our precious little Talia has a difficult journey ahead of her...regardless of our "heroic" intentions. Monday (China time) is "gotcha day" and she will see her abductors for the very first time. We are taking her away from everything familiar; forcing her to adapt to our very different world. Will you pray for Talia? Pray that she instantly feels the deep love we have for her. Pray that she immediately feels the warmth and safety in our first embrace. Pray for us. Pray for patience. Pray that we can create a loving "heart-light" environment that's more like the friendly ET alien and less like the War of the Worlds alien.
Did you know that WE have also been abducted? We have all been abducted by sin. (Romans 5:12) As Christians, that makes us aliens on a strange planet, and sometimes it feels like we're never going to get home. The Good News is we have a REAL HERO. "Through Him (Jesus) we both have access in one spirit to the Father. So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:18-19)
Sometimes I feel so lost and out of place. Sin separated me from my Creator, but Jesus traveled a great distance to bring me home. I guess that's why I love adoption so much. It reminds me of the One who deserves all the accolade and attention. He's the One who turns strangers and aliens into full-fledged members of God's big family. That's why we adopt. It's a picture of what Christ has done for us. It's also an opportunity for daily Gospel proclamation. It's a privilege as a parent to pour everything I know about Jesus into one life. (In our case, five) At the church I attend, we call this the quality of being a #JesusSpeaker. It's one of the measures of those who have been transformed by Jesus Christ. What better place to talk about Jesus than at home with your children? (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Isn't it ironic that this former spiritually orphaned alien has this wonderful opportunity to introduce Talia to Jesus Christ? Is it worth it...even if it means I'll be seen as an abductor on Monday? You better believe it is! Parents and grandparents, you have this opportunity as well, even with your biological children and grandchildren. Alien Abductors unite! Speak of Jesus often…even if it feels a little weird and they look at you like you’re from another planet.
Thanks again for praying for us on this journey...especially on Monday!
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