Why Adoption First?

Now, if we’re honest with each other, this may have been one of the first thoughts that popped into your head when you heard of our adoption…and that’s okay! With each “announcement” of our adoption journey to friends and family we have been met with sweet and greatly appreciated excitement followed by curious and well-intentioned questions. As Josiah and I discussed and prayed about this journey, we knew it would not only make us parents but also “adoption educators,” so to speak, and we don’t take that lightly.

So why adoption? Some families come to experience the joy of adoption because of the sorrow of infertility. Those stories are beautiful, but that story is not ours. As far as we know, we’re healthy and have no reason to assume we couldn’t have a biological child. Other families may feel adoption should only come after learning how to parent biological children or after a couple is “financially free.” We don’t want to discount the wisdom behind these principles because we certainly understand the gravity of parenthood and adoption, but for us, the joy and beauty of adoption far outweighs the risks and cautions involved.

For as long as I (Mackenzie) can remember, adoption was a part of my plans. In fact, at the age of 14, I sat my parents down and attempted to explain to them why I should be allowed to legally adopt. My brilliant plan was to have them care for my baby while I went to school and then I would take over when I came home. As you can imagine, they kindly declined my proposition, but my desire to adopt only continued to grow. When Josiah and I were newly dating, adoption conversations were already on the table because (praise the Lord) adoption was a dream we shared! Now, a few years into our marriage, the Lord has orchestrated our lives so that pursuing adoption is a possibility and hopefully, a soon-to-be reality.

Our passion for adoption comes first and foremost from our Christian faith. Adoption is a pinnacle theme throughout Scripture, and is the means by which we can even call ourselves “Christians.” The Bible tells us that when we turn from our sinful ways and place our faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior from sin, we are given a new identity as adopted children of God. We change from strangers and enemies to sons and daughters of God’s great family! In fact, Ephesians 1 tells us that before the creation of the world, God’s plan for us was always adoption. Adoption was always plan “A.” It is this reality that fuels our passion for adoption.

Bringing a child into a loving family is cause to celebrate, whether they’re the first or last of the children to be added. For us, however, adding to our family first through adoption is specific and intentional. Our first child may not share genetic codes or eye colors with us, but we want them to recognize their chosen position to be first to receive our love, affection, and devotion as their parents. Just as we were chosen from the beginning of time to be adopted into God’s family, sharing in the inheritance that Christ receives, our child will be “chosen,” brought into our family through adoption and first to receive the “inheritance” we will impart to our children.

We recognize and believe in the mandate given in Genesis 1 to “be fruitful and multiply” and we hope to have biological children one day if the Lord allows. But we also feel called to respond to the mandate given in James 1 to “look after the orphans and widows.” The Lord has given us a passion for children who need loving parents. He has also placed us in a great position and season of life to pursue adoption right now. Adoption was always plan “A” for our salvation, and now adoption is plan “A” for our family!