Adoption is expensive!
It just is! Or is it????
The most common question I get about adoption is, "Why is adoption so expensive?" People are not meaning to be insulting by the question. It is a genuine curiosity as to why it is costly. I give a few reasons when asked the question such as medical costs, people filing paperwork, home studies, passports, visas, court costs, etc. The fact is I'm not bothered by the cost. We are adding to our family through adoption, and can I really put a value on our child? I know I could not put a value on Brody so why would our other children be any different.
Maybe you need something to compare it to.
Every few years most Americans buy a car. We don't hardly even blink an eye at spending $15,000-$30,000 on a car. Is not a child more precious than a car? So maybe adoption isn't really that expensive. I think I am getting quite a bargain! It's a good investment in giving a child a second chance at having a family. When I put the cost of adoption in this perspective, it's not that expensive any more.
Now would I like the cost to be less expensive, of course! More orphans could have families if it were more affordable. I have the heart for more children...just got to save the money. My point is that I don't want to complain about the cost of adoption. It really isn't that much compared to the priceless son or daughter you get to have.
One of my favorite quotes on adoption is by Derek Loux
“My friends, adoption is redemption. It’s costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him. And when He redeems us, we can’t even really appreciate or comprehend it, just like Dimitri will never comprehend or fully appreciate what is about to happen to him … but … he will live in the fruit of it. As his Daddy, I will never expect him to understand all of this or even to thank me. I just want to watch him live in the benefits of my love and experience the joys of being an heir in my family. This is how our heavenly “Papa” feels towards us. Today, settle your busy heart down and rest in the benefits of redemption. Enjoy the fruits of His goodness, and stop trying to “pay Him back”. You’ll never get close you goofy little kid.”
I like that comparison -- and I always think similar things when people say they can't afford to sponsor a child through Compassion or World Vision. Many people pay $100+ to have cable TV or a smart phone package every month, and don't question it. And I love that quotation!
ReplyDeleteNancy
I love that quote, as well! My husband sold a classic car that he had had since he was 16, so that we could adopt Lily. He thinks that it was the best deal he ever got! There is just no comparison between the worth of that car and the worth of our precious daughter!
ReplyDeleteHello, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Colleen and I am also currently waiting for a referral from Ind*a. I have been following your blog for awhile. What stands out is that I am from Fort Mill, SC.
ReplyDeleteAlso my blog is cmally1@blogspot.com. Have a blessed night
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