Thankful Thursday*: Adoption Month

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November.

A time of falling leaves, Turkey Day, Black Friday, Movember, the long-awaited beginning of the college basketball season, the return of the Starbucks red cups, and the celebration of National Adoption Month.

It took me a while to write that last part of the sentence. I really struggled with which word to use: Recognition? Observation? Promotion? Do I really mean celebration?

Shoes in front of an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
This picture was taken outside of a care center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Each pair of shoes belongs to a child in the care center. That’s a lot of orphans.

Heartbreaking circumstances

By definition, an adoption can only happen because of some kind of loss. A family loses a child. A child loses a family and identity.  There’s pain, heartbreak, sorrow, and tragedy accompanying this loss. The reason we even have adoption is because of something that that’s horribly sad. And yes, some horrible people have capitalized on that and done some pretty unethical things in the name of adoption. That’s not something to celebrate. But…

Adoption is beautiful

Mom, Dad, and Mihret holding hands
This picture was taken while we were en route to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa to be granted permission to bring Mihret home with us.

I know it’s beautiful because I see it every day. I cannot imagine our family without Mihret. It’s like there was an empty chair at our kitchen table before she got here. And now our lives our richer because she is part of our family. Out of heartache, sorrow, and hopelessness has come hope, beauty, and joyful expectation. Outsiders try to say things like “Oh she’s so lucky to be here with you.” I disagree. We are the ones who are blessed. I cannot imagine what our family would be like if we didn’t fill that empty chair. I’m glad I don’t have to imagine.

Let’s celebrate?

God makes old things new. He makes broken things whole. He restores broken relationships. And He can knit orphans into loving families. Love takes you in and changes you for good.

That, friends, is worth celebrating.

I’m thankful for adoption. I’m thankful for what it has done to our family. I’m thankful for those who are pursuing adoption. I’m thankful for those who are considering adoption. I’m thankful for anyone who is standing up for the voiceless and powerless children around the world, intervening on their behalf before they become orphans.

*Yes. I know today’s Friday. The title says Thankful Thursday. Read the disclaimer at the bottom of this post if you have a problem with it.

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Matt Todd

Howdy. I'm Matt. My wife, Christy, and I have four kids and two dogs, I'm passionate about orphan care. I'm a die-hard fan of the Evansville Aces, the Indiana Hoosiers, and Star Wars. I'm trying to live life by the Todd family motto: "It behooves us to live!"
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