How often do we regret being inactive. To be silent may be the easier road but it's not often the right one. Today is Orphan Sunday and National Adoption Month. Every year I take time to reflect on our family and how adoption impacted us.
Adoption has changed us. It's changed the way we see the world. It's brought us challenges, hardship, and heartaches. It's also brought more joy than I can fathom.
These kids have rocked my world. I could go on and on. But at the end of the day, they are lucky. They won't have to worry about where there next meal comes from, where they will sleep tonight, if they will get medical care, and who loves them.
Today in Virginia there are 1,400 children who don't know these things. Our state is ranked the worst in the country for the adoption of older children (yay us!). This year 500 teens will age out without being adopted. One in four will have involvement in the justice system. One in five will be homeless. Nearly 1/2 will drop out of school.
These children feel alone, abandoned, and scared. Family means everything. It is our past, present and future rolled into one. Without having a safe place to fall the future is pretty grim for these kids.
There is a pretty powerful video put out by The Children's Home Society. You can watch it here. Listen to what these kids have to say. Listen as a kid sits huddled and says that her dad's punches hurt, but his words hurt more. Listen as the story says that for children who are abused, neglected, and abandoned a safe, loving family is just a dream.
These kids aren't someone else's responsibility. They are OUR responsibility. We can't just hope that someone else will step up to the plate.
I want you to take a good look at these kids. They are at this time some of the many children waiting. Waiting for a mama who will bake cookies with them, to read to them, to be there for them. For a daddy who will walk them down the aisle, listen to their day, toss a ball around. They don't want a perfect parent, they just want A parent.
It's not an easy road, but I can say that it's a journey that you won't regret.
If you want to learn more about Virginia's waiting children and how you can change a life by adoption contact Children's Home Society. Click here to find out more.
Adopt, change a life one child at a time.
