A is for Adoption

Just the other day our daughter received an A on an education project which she put a ton of work into. She was thrilled and relieved once her grade posted online, especially since it is one third of her grade for the class. Whew!

An A marks the mindset of staying the course and never giving up. An A means Job well done.

The month of November also has the mark of an A. It's National Adoption Month. 

A is for ADOPTION. 


In honor of all families who haven't given up on their dream of having children, as well as those who've already received an A, I want to say, "Thank you for never giving up and for opening your heart and home to children who have received (or will in the future) an A stamped on their life story."



My forever parents were still childless after being married for nine years. They didn't give up on their dream and chose the loving option of adoption. They wanted to start a family right from the beginning, and though God would give them their desire, He chose to close the womb and open their hearts instead. God had created two baby girls just for them. These girls would need their love, security, a hope for a future, and a family where Jesus Christ was Savior, Lord and King.

I was the first child brought into their lives through private adoption. The moment they walked into the room, I stretched out my chubby arms and wrapped them around my forever daddy's neck (and I never let go). When the lady told them they would leave me with them for about 30 minutes to decide, my daddy said, "No one needs to go anywhere. We're not leaving here without her!"

I was placed in foster care at the age of three months and adopted 57 days later.
March 27, 1963 is my A-Day, or as some say, my "Got'cha day." It's the day my life changed course. I left there to start a new life: a new name, a new birth certificate, and a new family. 

Adoption was always talked about in our family as something very special. I've always known I was adopted and never once has it been something that made me angry or sad. Actually, it made me glad and grateful for the very difficult decision my birthmother made. It's a part of my story I deeply treasure and wouldn't trade for anything.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them (Psalm 139:15-16 ESV).

God affirms this to Jeremiah when He tells him, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5).

Every Child is a masterpiece, designed with a specific purpose by the Master Creator.
Two years after I was adopted, God brought another baby into our family. Her A-Day" is May 5, 1965. I remember going to Charleston to get her. I was going to be a big sister. When the lady placed her in my tiny arms as I rocked in a small, white wicker rocking chair, I told my mama and daddy, "We've got her. We can go home now." They named her Michelle.

Michelle has her own A-story to tell, but I'm so grateful God chose her to be my sister. We were loved and raised by the best parents anyone could ask for. No parent is perfect, but ours were perfect for us.

Throughout my life, I've met many adoptive parents and adopted children. I even have three cousins who were adopted. Every story is different and I love to hear how the A-day has affected their lives.

Right now, a young couple (the wife is a former student of mine) is waiting for their forever child. It's been a long, tough road of foster parenting, the ups and downs, loving and letting go, but they know God is sovereign, and when the time is right, their forever child will join their family. It's an honor to pray for this precious couple and to be included in their adoption journey. Never give up!

So, before National Adoption Month ends, I want to challenge and honor the adopted children I know personally. Casey, Sarah Caige, Bradley, Courtney, Dawson, Elena, Joni, Judah, Callen (and to any others I've left unnamed, it's not intentional):

 Wear the A well, knowing your heavenly Father was looking out for you 

when He selected your amazing parents. Never take them for granted. Honor them all of your life.

 And, with a spirit of humility, never stop telling your A story. 
It brings much honor and glory to Jesus Christ. 

Do you have an Adoption story? Please share in the comment section below. Use your story to encourage someone today.

My Pleasure,
Melanie