143 Million Reasons

Statistics say that there are around 143 million orphans worldwide. Some numbers I have seen are as high as 157 million. When I am asked why we decided to adopt, I am sometimes unsure of how to begin to answer.  You see, our story, my story, does not begin with a lifelong desire to adopt. I had always admired people who adopted. My world, however, was a bit too ordered and controlled. College, marriage, grad school, job, then three kids and a golden retriever. Somewhere along the line I had come under the illusion that I was in control of my life. It's amazing how deluded we can become and still be on the journey of sanctification!

It all started with a challenge. "You two could do that, you know. You should think about adoption!" I remember smiling and inwardly chuckling, like Sarah. But God, Who had began a good work in me so many years ago wouldn't let me dismiss those words so easily. The more I thought, prayed and talked with Todd, the more I began to see adoption all around me. It was strolling through the produce section at Cub, a book title on an end cap at Target, in the pew next to me. I also saw it in the very heart of God. As a follower of Christ, I am adopted. In the beginning of the book of Ephesians, God, through Paul tells us that believers in Christ Jesus were predestined by Him for adoption. (Ephesians 1:5) God the Father grows His family through adoption, how wonderful is that?

So we prayerfully began the paper journey to bring home a beautiful baby girl we would name Annika Mei Eng.  So many times in the last five years since she has come home, I have caught myself watching this precious one whom God graciously gave to us and thought, "We could have missed out on all of this." We could easily have stayed comfortable. But as her love and laughter fill our home, I see how foolish comfortable is.  We see more clearly Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." So, we adopted for selfish reasons. In our weakness, God worked powerfully to bring a little girl home to her family. In His sovereignty, a Lindquist was born in Xiushan, China and united with her family eight months later.  The joy of setting aside my 'kingdom' for His KINGDOM purposes is beyond words.

Now we find ourselves on the threshold of another wonderful adventure. He has brought us thus far and we are confident that He will bring another Lindquist home.  As if we needed more than 143 million reasons.....