Thinking about the children who wait

I have been quiet lately here on my blog, but I assure you, here in my home, not so much. Lots have been going on, most of it very exciting, but I wanted to share the very real burden on my heart. I understand that if this is not where you are you may come away from this post feeling like you have been emotionally manipulated, but that is not my intent. This verse weighs on me. I understand what it means. It is a beautiful reminder of what Christ has done for me and it speaks exactly to what every orphan feels.

Romans 8:22-24
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

I think this is a very moving passage. It speaks of our redemption in Christ. The pain of living outside of his family, our eagerness to be redeemed- adopted as sons and the hope we have that it will happen.

It is exactly what my children experienced before they were adopted into my family. It is the story of every orphan living today.

We know that they groan and suffer (is there anything more painful than childbirth? I think the seperation, the isolation from love and family and belonging, is the soul's equivelant pain.)
They are groaning within themselves (for there is no one else to groan to) wiating eagerly for their adoption, the redemption of their tiny little lives.
They hope for this, because it has not yet happened, as the verse says, who hopes for what he already sees? These children see no one coming for them... but they hope.
They hope for you, friend. They groan within themselves waiting for you to move as the Holy Spirit calls you to act. Waiting for their redemption from exile, to be adopted as your son or daughter.

This is the burden on my heart. It is what fuels the FIG program. I know that it is what motivates the people who have stepped up to advocate for the children still waiting.
If it is something that burdens you, contact me or go to www.projecthopeful.org . you can get involved.
You can make a difference.