What Happens If...

I had someone ask a me a good question earlier this week. It was one I had thought about, in a sense, but not really pondered, so to speak. I was talking about the possibility of hosting an adoptable child this summer and she asked, "what if you don't like the child?" Hmmmm...good question. Like I said, I had thought about it, but never really pondered (considered, thought deeply about, contemplated) the question. So, I guess now I will.

What if we don't "like" the child we adopt? What if we end up choosing a child from a picture and not a month-long experience? What if after a month the child turns into something other-worldly? What if, what if, what if...

I imagine that when you have a kid (in the "traditional" sense of the word) there is some worry about not liking the kid. I know, because I've heard parents express this fear. Usually, though, people talk about the fact that after the hard work is over (that is, birthing a child) something magically happens - it's called oxytocin - that bonds you to your child. That magical oxytocin is also at work during breastfeeding. And so it goes that the worry of "liking" the child is explained :)

Obviously, since we want older kids and I am not giving birth, nor will I (akwardly) be breastfeeding, there will be no "magic" happening. So tell me, parent friends, do you have older children that you don't like? I am pretty sure that the answer is yes - unless my family circle was just weird (which is totally possible). I would hear things like, "It's a good thing I love you because I don't like you right now!" Which leads, I think, into the question of love...what if we don't love the child we adopt? This is where prayer comes in, I guess. We will be praying that God will bring the right kid(s) to us, praying to understand that He knows who we need and who needs us, praying that we would love "the least of these" and that no matter what, we realize that love is a choice.

Thanks, friends, for being there for us and spurring on our thought processes when it comes to adopting. We realize that in no way will be ever be prepared for what is going to happen, as I think most new parents are never quite prepared. Please continue praying for us as we begin this adventure. Pray that we are able to tackle the tough issues ahead of us. Pray that we would be certain when it comes to the kids that God has for us. Pray that we will not only like, but love our kids unconditionally.