Dear adoptive parents,

There is something I want you to know, and I am unashamedly going to steal a line from NBC’s Parenthood’s patriarch, Zeek Braverman, to do it.

“I hear you, and I see you.”

I hear you.

I hear your earnest, heart-filled desires to bring children into your homes. You pour out your hearts to God. You ask for wisdom, for guidance. Sometimes you are asking God for direction because you are unable to have children of your own. Sometimes, your families do not feel complete until your adopted son or daughter is busy growing up alongside your biological children, their siblings.

You are heard when you request prayers in pursuing which avenue of adoption to take: foster-to-adopt, infant adoption, overseas adoption. I hear your passionate voices when you speak of the children who are yet to join your home, or who already have. You are heard.

I see you.

I see you raising money by creative pursuits and unique inspiration. The t-shirts, the puzzle pieces, the jewelry, and the garage sales.

I have seen your friends sell their possessions to help you pay for your adoption.

I see how much it costs to adopt a child, and yet, you do not complain.

I see your trust in God’s provision.

I see the hope you have for bringing home your child.

I see you waiting years for your child, without hesitation.

I see you loving your adoptive son or daughter exactly as if they were your biological child. You are seen.

In Ephesians 1:3-10, Paul writes,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,  to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

Sweet adoptive parents, the beauty of this passage is that God chose us — He predestined us. We are adopted by God the Father, just like you adopt your son or daughter. As you persevere through the painstaking trials to adopt your child, to get to your child, you are a direct reflection of God the Father. I am a firm believer that the child you adopted is specifically hand-picked for your family.

So, adoptive parents, hear me. “I hear you, and I see you.”

I hear your prayer requests, and I will not stop praying until your child comes home to live with you.

I see your efforts in raising money to bring home your child, and I will support you in doing so with time and money.

I hear you share your challenges as you raise your son or daughter, and I have hope for you as your family begins to meld together.

I see you raising your sons and daughters. And I want you to know, I am on my knees asking God to care for you as you care for your child.  

Adoptive parents, my dear friends, you are precious. You are called. You echo the heart of God.

I hear you. I see you.

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Readers, Do you see the needs of adoptive parents? Consider how you could help today.

Sarah believes God has called her to this space to bring joy and encouragement through words to friends and family, near and far. You can find more from Sarah at her blog, and you can find her stories for Anchored Voices under the tag Sarah.