I will always remember that first day and how our son nearly tackled the CPS worker who dropped her off because he was so excited to have a baby sister. We were attached to this tiny little girl with a big personality from day one.

It’s been a crazy foster-to-adopt journey, one that, for a long time, we weren’t sure would ever allow us to add those last two words “to adopt.” My heart has been on a roller coaster ride of excitement, frustration, confusion, certainty, uncertainty and hope. And I know the ride won’t end now that this amazing little girl will forever be a part of our family. Parenting is hard. There is no way around it.

In the last few weeks, I have read these two incredibly piercing and challenging articles that relate to the pro-life argument:

What Would Really Happen If we Defunded Planned Parenthood And Ended Abortion?

Are You Really Pro-Life?

Essentially, the authors suggest that it’s all well and good to say that we are pro-life and anti-abortion (as Bible-believing Christians, I don’t think we can have any other stance when it comes to this issue), but are we doing anything on a day to day basis to support our belief? The Bible teaches that we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that God forms and shapes us in our mother’s womb (Psalms 139:13). But the Bible also teaches that care of orphans and widows is close to the heart of the Father (James 1:27).

If we really believe all of these things (that are straight from the inspired Word of God, by the way), then we must take a stand. We must be willing to adopt, to foster, to reach out to both single and struggling mothers.

Becoming a mom is the most rewarding, exhausting and challenging thing that has ever happened to me. And the more I do it, the more I realize my need for Jesus and His grace in my life.

If we value life, then our actions must follow suit. Believe me, it’s much easier to take an ideological stand than to jump through the hoops of becoming a licensed foster parent. It’s more convenient to read and re-post articles online (guilty as charged!) than to gather a baby’s things, drive 25 minutes and sit for 15, waiting for a family visit that may or may not happen. And then do it again in two days. It’s less stressful to come home, close the garage door and live in your own bubble (which seems full enough, right?), than to take time to talk to your single mom neighbor and invite her kids over for the evening so that she can gain a little rest and sanity. I can barely hold it together sometimes, and I don’t work outside of our home and also have a super loving and supporting husband by my side. I have no idea how single moms survive.

Living out the gospel through orphan care isn’t easy. It isn’t convenient. And, a lot of the time, it isn’t rewarding. It’s mundane and exhausting and a pain. But it is the call of the gospel to

“...look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4