prayer (for adoption)
to you, O Lord, i call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if You be silent to me, i become like those who go down to the pit. hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when i cry to You for help, when i left up my hands toward Your most holy sanctuary... [psalm 28.1-2]
my heart is so heavy for our orphan daughter. and she's just one child. when i expand my vision and think of the millions of them, the weight gets all the heavier. my heart hurts as if a boulder made its home upon it. what began a few months ago as a journey to bring home a daughter, now is accompanied with an intense and passionate cry. a cry to care for and love a precious girl who, possibly at this very moment, lies in a crib or roams around an institution. a little girl who needs more affection than she's getting. a cry to give this child a family - God's intention all along.
my heart is heavy. my tears are strong.
is she being rocked to sleep?
does someone read to her?
will she hear, "you are beautiful," in her native tongue today?
has she been hugged recently?
is she malnourished?
could she be delayed developmentally?
is she old enough to wonder if someone cares for her?
can she fathom love?
i stop my questions and declare that God is stronger. He is greater than any institution, any orphanage. God loves this little girl and all the orphans of the world. kind caregivers are with them. adoption agencies are working. families are stepping up to love another.
...blessed by the Lord! for he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. the Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and i am helped; my heart exults, and with my song i give thanks to Him. the Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed. oh, save Your people and bless Your heritage! be their shepherd and carry them forever. [psalm 28.6-9]