Sharing Your Own Adoption Story

I write a lot about adoption; there’s a lot I overthink about adoption. But, the part of adoption that most woos my heart? It’s the redemption of brokenness. Through adoption, somehow, a broken interwoven story of the birth family unable to parent, the family longing for a child, and the child who needs a family to pursue and love miraculously is redeemed. That’s the beauty of adoption.

It’s Easter. It’s the day we celebrate another miracle, one that the experience of earthly adoption only reflects albeit imperfectly. It’s the real Orphan Sunday, the day Christians have set apart for centuries to remember what Christ did when He gave His life so that we could live, what He did when He bled and died to pay the penalty of our sin served as that red ink fingerprint on the adoption paperwork. We no longer are separated from God, broken and without hope; through Christ, we are adopted into His family, loved not only as children of God but seen only as fully His children because that’s what Christ’s death and resurrection made us.

I won’t stop writing about adoption here. One of my most significant callings is as a mother to both children who were born to me and one who was not born to me–all of whom are fully my children. Adoption is close to my heart. I’m just going to add to the conversation a bit, sharing my own adoption story and encouraging others to do the same. Because sharing our stories–that’s often what God uses to help people see Him in a new way, doesn’t He?

This Easter, when the sugar high becomes a low and the family dinner and dishes are done, I want you to think about sharing your story. Maybe this week or the week after that, if you’ve never shared your adoption story before, set apart some time to think it through, jot down some notes or put them into a Word document. Write your story since He’s already written it for you. Read it over, practice it, know it. Maybe share it with your husband; maybe your mom; maybe your children. I want to share a few of your stories right here too. Let me know if you’re open to having your story shared. There’s something about sharing them publicly together in one spot–it’s when a blog becomes worship.

As you’re considering your story or your testimony, here are some questions to get you thinking. You don’t have to answer all these, they are just to help you remember, help you better organize and communicate. I’m hoping they help.

My story before I accepted Christ or gave Him complete control of my life:

1. What was my life like that someone who doesn’t yet know Christ would relate to?
2. What did my life revolve around the most? 
3. What did I get my security or happiness from? 
4. How did those areas let me down?

My story of receiving Christ or giving Him complete control of my life:

1. When was the first time I heard the gospel or recognized dynamic Christianity in someone’s life?
2. What were my initial reactions? 
3. When did my attitude begin to turn around? Why? 
4. What were the final struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Christ? 
5. Why did I go ahead and accept Christ? 

My story after I accepted Christ or gave Him complete control of my life:

1. What are some specific changes in my life evident either immediately or over time? 
2. Why am I motivated differently?
3. How do I see myself, God, and/or life differently?