THE BLESSING

Adoption is one of God’s most compassionate ideas. But it’s rarely easy. I felt inadequate and fearful for my daughter’s future when, as a teenager, she dove headlong into poor choices. Tough love demanded difficult decisions. Our adoption journey traversed estrangement, reconciliation and, more recently, blessing.

It’s our family tradition to publicly bless each of our children on the eve of their marriage. With permission, I share the following letter to Sarah – the daughter that helped me discover my brokenness, depression and healing, with the prayer that it will encourage you to never give up.

Dear Sarah,

Since the day I (mom) found you in a Cambodian orphanage, and believed you were our daughter, I have loved you and hoped you would love me back. Since the day I (dad) first held you, and noticed you checking me out with a side-ways glance, trying to figure out this guy who was holding you, I knew you were a survivor. Together, at the orphanage compound in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, we committed to love you as our daughter, and endured unimaginable hardships to bring you home. Although we have experienced many challenges through the years, we never doubted that God orchestrated your adoption into our family and we have never stopped loving you.

Now, as we watch you mature, we remain grateful for the opportunity to be your parents. Yet we know that another mom and dad loved you first. We wish your birth parents could be here tonight to see the young woman you’ve become, to celebrate your coming marriage, and to give their blessing to you as well. But we are thankful that God is faithful through loss and unanswered questions; and that His heart toward us is good. We are proud of you and the young woman you are becoming.

Your special qualities are obvious to us. You are responsible and wonderful with kids. You’re the best cook in the family. And you are kind, gentle, funny and artistic – an attribute that has been a wonderful addition to our family.

As you begin this new season of your life, we pray that you and Chris will cultivate a happy and fulfilling marriage; that you would be blessed with children, if you want to parent; that you would allow God to heal the broken places in your heart; that you would mend any broken fences between you and your siblings; that you would fall in love with Jesus; and that you would always feel loved and supported by your family.

We are thankful for you and look forward to sharing this next journey with you. We give you our blessing to marry Chris. And together, may you capture God’s dream for your lives.

We Love You,
Mom and Dad

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