I get this question a lot – A LOT. And I personally believe it is THE #1 reason why so many couples are not adopting. I don’t think everyone is called to adopt. I don’t think that those who don’t adopt are “less Christian” or should feel guilty (like me not homeschooling). BUT I KNOW there are couples out there God has CALLED to adopt, but they are waiting on the money and think they have to wait for the money to obey. Or they look at the $30,000 fee and say, there’s no way. Sometimes they don’t think one more bit about adoption – until God punches them in the stomach or whispers in their ear (depending on the day) again. (If this is you, this was us too – please read reasons NOT to adopt just to see what God taught us through our questions.) The thing is God DOES provide.
We started this adoption process THINKING that raising money would be the main challenge. We have debt from houses that didn’t sell and we had a savings account with $0. Zero, nada, zilch. Really. Debt + no savings + a call to adopt? (really God??) = resignation – seriously, we resigned. Honestly, we were like, okay God, we’ll obey, and we’re willing, but you’re going to need to provide the funds. We just thought about it and prayed a lot! And from the beginning, with yard sales, donations, selling tshirts, making dresses, living cheaply, a tax refund, a matching grant through our church, and people just giving because God placed it upon their hearts to do so, we’re there.
Of all the adoption stories you’ve heard, think of how many started out with the couple FULLY committed to answering God’s call on their lives, ready to wait no matter how long it took, and 100% dead set on obeying God without counting the cost. Think of all those couples. Got them pictured in your head? Now how many of those had a referral, it was time to pick up their child, and they couldn’t go bc the money wasn’t there? How many? I read LOTS of adoption blogs and know not one story. None. God funds that which He calls us to.
Is it easier for some than others? Yeah! I have a friend whose adoption was recently almost fully funded through a yard sale and a matching donor. Bam. Done. I know another friend who had like 8 yard sales – none of which were very effective – and they had to scrape for every penny. But their son is home.
You may have to work hard, get creative, and ask for sponsors. You might have to do t-shirts, pancake dinners, spaghetti suppers, raffles, sewing projects, photography sessions, crafts, support letters, yard sales, car washes, dog washes, restaurant spirit nights, or any kind of money raiser you can dream up!! What are you good at? Do it to raise money in a creative way!! But that hard work will be 100,000% worth it when you’re holding your child.
Obedience + God = ANYTHING!!! I think many people know they are going to adopt “someday”. But ”someday” is a fabulous tool of Satan’s with anything in the Christian life. “Someday” is a killer. ”Someday” is delayed obedience. And at my house, delayed obedience is DISOBEDIENCE. Pretend you’re standing before Christ Himself. Right now. He asks you – why aren’t you adopting NOW? What answers would you give? And how would He respond to those? “We don’t have the money.”
- Phil 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
- Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
- Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
- Proverbs 3:5“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
And I could go on. You know it too. If God’s calling, ya better move! And feel free to email me for help/talking you through it! My email is sarahunderhillblog at gmail dot com – ask away!!
