With Easter approaching, I find myself thinking about my memories of Easter growing up–the frilly dresses, the Easter eggs hunts with my siblings and cousins, the family gatherings, and of course, the story of Jesus and his Resurrection that makes it a true celebration. But as usual I feel the need to reflect on how different my memories could have been if it wasn’t for God’s unique plan for my life.
Without going too far into the details, I was born into a bad environment for children. I was the fourth child, and my birth mother was only 19 when she had me. I was placed in the foster care system before my first birthday and came to my current home, along with my older brother and sister, at the age of 2.
My parents were unable to have children for medical reasons, and had been on the list for adoption homes for some time when they were visited by the pastor of the church they had been attending. Before the visit was over, they had both dedicated their lives to Christ. This was no accident on God’s part…within a few weeks of their redemption, they received the call about three children who needed a loving home–and they said yes.
Not only was I able to be brought up by two Christian parents who taught me good values, but they also decided to send me to a private Christian school. My dad worked nights so that I could go to this school which cost them a considerable sum.
For 12 years I was blessed to have the best education available in my hometown, teachers that cared about my heart AND mind, and a Christian foundation that will help sustain me for the rest of my life. Both of my parents insured this was possible with their hard work, support, and sacrifice of superficial desires.
I try to make sure that I tell my parents often exactly how much I appreciate what they did for my siblings and myself, but I also think that it is important that you all understand exactly what a huge impact you can have on a child’s life by choosing to adopt. You have the chance to give a child a better life, and if you are pro-life it is even more important to be an active part of the solution. Mother Teresa once said “I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted, and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child, and be loved by the child.”
Currently there are over 400,000 children in the foster care system, and everyday there are 4,000 innocent lives lost to abortion. If more of us will give of ourselves by adopting children, we can not only give these 4oo,ooo children loving homes, but maybe one day we can also end the abortion holocaust by proving to expectant mothers that they can truly give their children better lives through adoption.
I ask you to look around your family gatherings as Easter approaches, and imagine the 400,000 children who have no parents to tell them the Easter story, no parents to put presents in an Easter basket for them, no parents to make holiday memories with, and most importantly… no parents to love them. I am more than thankful for what my parents did for me, it has changed my life. And I would encourage each and every one of you to consider giving a child the greatest gift you could give them–yourself.
