Praying for his family

I believe when God puts someone on your heart, it is so you will pray for that person. The last few weeks, I have been thinking more and more about Jonathan's foster family. I have been asking many questions- the biggest being- do they know Jonathan has been chosen? Do they know that he has a family waiting for him? I have to believe that Jonathan's foster parents are kind people, and that they love him and have been taking good care of him.

Jonathan was abandoned at a little over 3 months of age; he was in the orphanage for about 2 months; and to our knowledge he has been with the same family for the last 2 years and 3 months. This is the only family he has known. I know it would break my heart (even if I knew it was coming) to have a child who we have loved and raised be taken from our home to be adopted- which is a good thing. My heart breaks for the foster mom, who will have to say good-bye to the little boy she has loved. My heart breaks for Jonathan, who is too young to really understand that being adopted is a good thing. We will be taking him from the only family he has ever known. How scary for him! I want to bring Jonathan home as soon as possible, but part of my heart is breaking for all that he will lose when we adopt him. He will lose his foster family (we most likely will not even get to meet them.) He will lose "his siblings" (yes, there is mention that he has foster siblings.) He will lose his language; the food he loves; the home he has grown up in. So much loss for such a small boy!

Yes, he will gain a lot when adopted. He will gain a new identity, a new family, a new home, the opportunity to learn about God. Yes, so much too gain in the long term ... but at age 3, all you care about is the here and now.

So, I would ask you to pray. Pray for Jonathan's mom and dad (as of this moment, they are the only mom and dad he has known). Pray that they would continue to love him and take good care of him. Pray that they will have peace as adoption day approaches. Pray for Jonathan. Pray that he will transition well to his new family. Pray that he will know that we love him and have chosen him to be a part of our family.

We take some comfort in James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Wisdom. We know who to ask for it. We know we need it. How else would we manage all the conflicting emotions, weigh the pros and cons, and choose to deliberately step forward into a future that has so many unknowns?

Thanks in advance for your prayers. We are hoping to share good news soon!