what I just want to scream sometimes: WE'RE NOT HEROES!

We aren't.

I'm just a mom and a wife, roles that I cherish. And I can't possibly live up to the high bar of "hero." Nor do I want to.

When Robbie had his seizure and we were in crisis mode, friends saw our needs and stepped forward: with food, with pajamas for me, with toys for Robbie, and with childcare. Not to mention the encouraging texts and comments and emails.

Simply put, y'all saw our great need and did what you could to help.

That's what Zoe's adoption was for us, and what the adoption of Patience, Philip, and Patricia is. When presented with a great need, we're doing what we can to help.

And?

In helping, we are blessed beyond measure.

Our spunky Asian brings light and love into our home in ways that it didn't exist before her. Her adoption made the gospel more real to our first two children and, if I'm honest, to me. We're not all that selfless, you know. I have gained far more in every way from adoption than I have given.


I have also learned more than I could have expected. Lee and I went on a date last night, thanks to the generosity of a dear friend who kept the young'uns, and ended up at a coffee shop. It started as a sweet time as husband and wife, and then turned into a double date for a bit as precious friends joined us, and finally ended in deep conversation with Chris Marlow and Jeff Goins about orphan care and justice and ways to prevent adoption from being needed in the first place for many children around the world.

That's sort of how my life is. Haphazard, but passionate. Ordinary, but with hints of extraordinary things God is doing all around us. A mix of dirty diapers, physical therapy appointments, and playdates juxtaposed with consultations with denominational leaders about adoption ethics, speaking engagements to train church leaders to include people with special needs in Christian community, and conversations in coffee shops with faithful folks who are also saying yes to God where He leads them in helping with great needs.

A hero? No. I think some people call me and Lee heroes because it's easier to label us heroes than to consider what help they can offer toward bringing God's justice to the great needs all around us.

If you're in Christ, you're following the same Hero God we are. Lee and I? We're not heroes. We're just obeying the Hero as we refuse to just pass on the other side of the road and expect someone else to meet the needs that are before us.

Anyone can do that.