Making Room

When I was pregnant with our second child I had my doubts on whither I had enough room in my heart for another child. Could I love another child as much as I loved my daughter? When my son was born, the instant I held him close,  I felt my heart growing.  My love was new and complete for this precious child that God had given me. With my third and fourth child I felt exactly the same. It was like a new addition was added on to my heart each time and there was always plenty of room.

We as parents have a great desire to give are children everything. We dream of them growing strong and healthy, getting a good education, having a career and a family of their own someday. At times we worry that we will fall short as parents and be unable to provide for all their needs. What we forget to consider is that what all children need most is love, a warm and safe home and a full belly. If we have provided these essentials we have given our children riches beyond measure.

Let me contrast this to the orphans in our world. There are 153 million children worldwide which is roughly half the population of the United States who have no mother or father. These children do not grow healthy nor strong because they lack love and sufficient nutrition. They fall asleep hungry and they have no one to hold and comfort them when they wake up scared or sick. There is no one to keep them safe from harm or keep them warm when they are cold. If they do grow up, they will have little chance of reaching their full potential but instead far less. The statistics are heart breaking. With my eyes wide open, how will my heart respond to this tremendous need? Can I make room for just one?

A few months back we talked with our two oldest children about our desire to adopt. The first thing our 6 year old son asked with much concern was, “Do we have enough room for another child in our house? Where will they sleep?”.  After we talked over room arrangements (he is a man of numbers, very logical) he confidently told us that, “Yes, it would be OK. We have enough room.” How easily this child’s heart made room for more.

Lord, may I not forget that in You there will always be room for more and plenty to share. With you Jesus, I will always return full and you are more than enough. Open my heart to more of you.

[Photo credits: Emily792872 & an.ab.lep.o{media}]