Continued from previous post

Some people “poo poo” the idea that God has a hand in bringing together adoptive families and birth families. But I’ve seen His divine hand working in so many ways in my own life during the past 13 years that I refuse to attribute it to fate or coincidence.

While my husband and I were praying for the child we hoped would someday be ours, his birth parents were also praying for him – for the family that would someday be his. The very evening we met, our prayers converged and were answered.

Our son’s birth mom has told us that the minute she and her boyfriend left the restaurant after our meeting, they looked at each other and knew that we’d be the ones who would parent their baby. Not only did they “know,” but they both sensed God telling them that we were the ones.

Our son’s birth mom has often shared with me about the peace that instilled her once she “knew.” That didn’t make her decision any easier. But her faith guided her and strengthened her resolve in the coming days.

Our second son’s birth parents are not people of faith, but ironically, they wanted a Christian family for their baby. As my husband and I grieved over the multiple potential placements that failed to materialize at the last minute, we often asked God what His plan was in all this.

We found out a year later, when a couple seeking a fully open adoption met with us. They just happened to live in the same vicinity as our first son’s birth family, which also happened to be the same town in which my extended family and my husband’s extended family live. Coincidence? I don’t think so. God? Yep.

When you have two open adoptions with two different sets of birth families (and assorted birth grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins), it does make things more convenient when you all live in the same area! But convenience isn’t the only factor. In the 10 years since we adopted our little cutie pie, our large, complex family has interacted with one another many times.

Here’s an example that for me best sums up the way God is working in our respective families: When my mom passed away about three years ago, guess who attended her memorial service? My family and my husband’s family, of course. But also our oldest son’s birth mom, her husband and their daughter. And our youngest son’s birth parents and their baby. And both sets of our youngest son’s birth grandparents. Coincidence? Fate? Oh no.

God? Definitely.

How has God shown His face in your adoption? Send your story to christianadoptionblog@adoptionmail.com.