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Sam’s Story Part II12 years ago
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Can We End the Orphan Crisis?12 years ago
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amazing photographer
.......she captured our trip on film
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pat should meet Abe, though doubt this mama bear would allow it!
I posted yesterday encouraging you to watch the story on the Orphan Summit. While the actual clip on the Summit was excellent and had me "amening" (is that a word?) through it all, I simply wasn't prepared for the exchange between Pat Roberston and Terry Meeuwsen. As Mr. Robertson began to speak, it became clear to me that he was trying to not only caution those listening to be aware of the "risks" of adoption, but was actually trying to discourage it!
Once he said that you may end up with a brain damaged child, that was it for me! I physically got hot, and the tears started to well up! All that I could do was think of my Abe, sleeping in the next room. The tone of his voice clearly conveyed that a child with anything less than a "perfect" or "normal" brain was somehow of less value, less worthy of love, of having a mother and father, siblings, aunts, uncles, friends and cheerleaders...........WHAT?? Would Mr. Robertson have rather my Abe spend his days in a crib in Ethiopia, with muscles so stiff he was unable to move? So thankful that our God is SO much bigger and had such a bigger plan for Abes life, for our lives!
He proceeded to use the reference in Scripture the need to "count the cost" in an attempt to justify his position. Count the cost?? Are you serious? Jesus never gave us an ounce of promise of a happy, stress free life! In fact, he said take up your cross, follow me...."any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."
Why, why would we do this? David Platt says in Radical, "Why, because you have found something worth losing everything else for. This is the picture of Jesus in the gospel. He is something- someone- worth losing everything for. And if we walk away from the Jesus in the gospel, we walk away from eternal riches. The cost of nondiscipleship is profoundly greater for us than the cost of discipleship. For when we abandon the trinkets of this world and respond to the radical invitation of Jesus, we discover the infinite treasure of knowing and experiencing him."
Pat clearly feels that the "hard" simply isn't worth it, the "counting the cost" is an excuse to not obey the commands to care for the orphan, defend the fatherless. What a slippery slope, if we twisted that and used counting the cost to not ACT, we wouldn't DO anything.
He also mentioned kids, institutionalized, left in cribs and actually repeatedly bang their heads against their cribs. Head over here. Check out this amazing family, just home with two precious girls with Down Syndrome. Little Hailee is 5 and weighs about 16 pounds. She has spent her entire life in a crib and has the marks on the front and back of her head to prove the head banging she has done through the years. Her family is helping to redeem her life. Hailee deserves that as do so many other precious kiddos in orphanages across the world. 147 million or so...........
They are worth it, the "hard" is worth it, losing sleep is worth it-- you know why? Because Christ looked at imperfect us and shed His own blood to redeem us, to call us His own, to give us a hope a future. It is worth it because He is glorified in the process. I'm just not sure how Mr. Robertson doesn't see it. Maybe if Abe flashed him a big ole grin he would.........
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About Me
- emily
- "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from becoming polluted by the world." James 1:27
41 comments:
Wow. I haven't had a chance to hear what Pat R had to say, but I get the gist of it. So well said mama!!
I'm sitting here in shock. And Sweet Abe. That smile melts my heart every time I see it.
Bravo, Emily! Wish you could send that to him. So often when he opens his mouth, I wonder why people let him. You continue to inspire me. Abe's gotcha video was a big reason why we finally took the adoption plunge. Waiting to pass court June 1st. Amy www.ourtable4six.blogspot.com
Well said, Emily. I've been following your blog since my hubby and I began the process to adopt through Dillon/Buckner. Found your blog on David McDuram's blog roll.
Abe is such a precious little boy. I feel sorry for Pat. He's missed it. He's completely and totally missed it.
Thanks for sharing.
thepalmersjourney.blogspot.com
it's so great to hear someone bringing a critical lens to some of the adoption advocates out there...nicely said!
Wow- where to start? Shame on Pat Robertson! Shame on him for being given the venue to point people to Jesus Christ and the Gospel and instead casting doubt and discouragement. Shame on him for not holding human lives valuable - even if they aren't "a good one". I am sorry for those that heard his words are will turn away from the blessing of adoption and I am SO VERY sorry for the children that will not have a mommy and daddy to love them forever. We as Believers and adopting families have enough opposition in this world we don't need a fellow believer to discourage us too. You are a strong woman and an amazing momma - keep on loving those kiddos and standing for the Truth!!
Hey Emily....Amen and Amen! I have been following your blog for 2 years, but have never commented. Now I am officially de-lurking! Your blog was so encouraging to me as we waited for our little girl to come home from Ethiopia. After we accepted our referral we found out that she had epilepsy and other medical concerns. The international pediatrician that was working with us advised us to step away from this adoption. My husband and I prayed, and felt total peace about adopting our daughter. Last week we had another EEG done and learned that she has been miraculously healed, and is living testament to HIS healing power. Everywhere that you take Abe, you and your family get to be living testament to HIS mercy and grace!! Blessings~
Bonnie
nieuwstraten.blogspot.com
The value of children is so obvious in the Bible. They are not "ranked" by which is deemed the most perfect. Every child is so precious.
Some abort a child from their womb because of lack of perfection. Some abort them from their heart because of lack of perfection. What is perfection? I sure don't know because I'm not it!
We need to be praying for Mr. Robertson. How sad not to see God's glory in all these beautiful little faces.
I don't know what the future holds with our twins, but I know they are ours forever...until God takes them home.
Thank you for writing this and a resounding AMEN!!!!! (a little cheering too!)
Okay.....Pat Robertson has dain bwamage. Seriously? I watched the video, and was inspired and tearful....until he opened his ignorant mouth. Rarely do I get nasty with people's misspeak (often needing grace myself, I'm quick to extend it). But he should know better. Nauseating....seriously. Guess my kids wont be going to Regent University now........that's a real wrench in our plans. Thanks for your passion and heart.....
Brett Hilliard
preach it, sister! the courage you, gwen, suzanne and others show daily as you live the life God has called you to is the love of Christ in action. what blessings Pat is missing out on!
Well said! Count the cost???? Are you kidding me?! Count the cost of NOT doing. I have not even heard all that he said and I am furious...
I am with you! I was shocked myself...but bless his ignorance-He will miss out on the blessing.
Amen Amen and AMEN my sister. I'm linking to your post this morning.
Team Alexander - just watched the video. Sitting here shaking my head...
Sigh... really Pat? Really?
Thankfully our God is infinitely bigger than ole Pat Robertson - but truthfully, I don't know how he has been in the position he has for so long... I mean, really?
Dudes like that are the reason I ran as fast as I could from the church (and Jesus) for 30 years...
You guys know as well as the rest of us what an amazing blessing Abe is...
Just a smile, a giggle or a story about Abe's super-human persistence is enough to bring joy to people who have never even met him.
Now THAT is influence Pat. The stuff your spewing is just hot air... (sorry - I am ticked by this...)
TEARS! And I am AMENING ;) All the way through this post! Love your heart my dear bloggy friend!
My husband and I watched the clip last night and I had to get up and walk away when Pat was talking!! My whole entire body was instantly over-heated! Thank you for your comments and your heart! You have portrayed your journey with Abe in such a beautiful light for which I am grateful! When we started our process of adopting Eden we had people say the dumbest things. Some people will never completely understand the joy these children bring - even in the midst of the challenges specific to raising adopted children! It is a blessing every day!!
Amening is definitely a word!!! :) You tell him, mama bear!!
Someone posted the clip on Facebook last night and we just sat there in shock with dropped jaws. Got me so fired up I could hardly sleep. Unbelievable.
Oh wow! I am shocked and saddened!! How small minded this makes him sound.
AMEN EM!
I cannot wait to check out the links and appreciate the heads up. How great would it be for Pat to meet Abe ... and oh how I would love to crash that meeting with our Sam.
Your post is so beautiful written. Thank you for standing up for Truth and sharing His story in your life!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Pat! Goodness gracious! He got it wrong! So wrong! I love you, sister. I hear your heart. I share your outrage. I wish Pat could read this! XO
Seriously.... Brian and I DVRd the show and when we watched it last night, our jaws hit the floor. We were, to say the least, appalled that on a "Christian" news program, this skewed view was being broadcast. We couldn't believe how graciously Terry handled the situation - we were so thankful for her voice of reason! We are so blessed by the lessons that we have learned through Abe and the Alexander clan - love yall!
The saddest part is this:
PR as spent his WHOLE adult life in "ministry."
And... he doesn't understand the Gospel.
What if Jesus had waited to see if each of us were "good enough?"
We'd all be screwed, that's what.
Read your bible, Pat. There's still time for you to get it. Unless Jesus decides that you're brain damaged. Which he just might. Thankfully He has the kind of grace we can only dream of.
AMEN girl!
Those so busy counting the cost will lose the time to count the blessings:)
Hugs to you!
Joy
Amen! You are living it momma! so thankful for your heart!
i didn't see/hear this, but i am ticked just reading about it! are you kidding me??? and this man claims to be christian? all i can say is, how heartless.
I have not watched the clip, and I'm not sure that I even want to.
All I know is... that Abe has changed so many hearts and lives. Just his sweet smilin two year old self. He has changed more lives already than most people change in their lifetime. Yeah, I wish Pat could meet Abe, because Abe can do a number on one's heart in a flat second!
Love you Emily!
YES!!!! This mama in Illinois so agrees it is worth it!!!! Love to you! Can't wait to see Abe in his new equipment. Libi should be getting her new pink gait trainer soon. Maybe she and Abe can have a race. :)
Poor Pat. Poor misguided Pat who is unfortunately in a huge position of influence. Let's hope more people read your blog than watch his show.
Kudos to you. Glory to God. Retirement to Pat.
Ugg. That just makes me sick. Hadn't heard about this.
Your family is an inspiration. We have followed Abe's journey through the Hoffmans.
We don't need Pat R to tell us what a gift adoption is.
amen sister friend!! Oh, amazing words from one Momma that I adore!! :) kj
AMEN SISTA!!!! I hear ya! Preach on! I am so sorry...
people just dont get it...but they will...oh they will. I am so encouraged at how you are sharing truth here, I love that quote by platt! wow!!! Abe is such a joy and a gift! Always remember that!!!
I have been reading your blog for the longest time. I have cried over every post about Abe. Last June we took a medical/special needs 10 1/2 month old in as a foster child. In late Sept. he was followed by his premature twin sisters. We took them too. We are waiting for parental rights to be terminated so we can adopt. We live in the world you do, with therapists, doctors, specialists, equipment, etc. Every day I thank God for our special little boy. He has changed my heart. Praying for you and praying that stories like ours will change hearts and bring more special children home.
Sarah
Wonderfully written.
What an amazingly foolish man who is so very misguided from the Truth.
Thank the Lord for people who understand the real TRUTH. You have opened up the whole world for sweet Abe. So proud of you!
oh yeah baby !!!! preach it ...i can't even come up w/ the right words as I sit here in the hospital w/ my special angel ... NEVER would I say she is anything less than priceless !!! Any ransom asked I would have gladly paid !!! PAT has obviously never seen the face of Jesus ... WELL COME ON TO TN IF YOU DARE PAT AND I WILL SHOW YOU !!!
UGHH! Mr. Roberston makes me want to bang my head...he just does not get it.I don't know how he doesn't get it, but time and again lately when that man opens his mouth he proves it...the saying, "Better to keep one's mouth closed and appear stupid than to open it and prove them right" seems to apply here. So glad you get it Mama Bear... Amen sister!!
I'm glad you posted about this!! I watched the segment after seeing the link on your blog and I was appalled at Pat's comments. He has no idea what he's missing out on by the attitude he has towards adoption. Hoping he finds truth!!
I felt physically ill after watching that segment on the 700 club. I found myself crying in fury over the horrible things he was saying... "mama bear" is putting it lightly!!! I left a comment on the CBN site.
Thank YOU for posting this!
Em,
Did you know Pat in Amharic means Jackass?
Me neither.
I'm sorry I cussed on your blog.
That picture of Abe fills me with his joy - every time I see him smile on your blog, I am amazed by his face -- it is so fabulous. Even though I do not know you all, his life and face makes me happy every time. Thanks for sharing your wonderful family with all of us.
I wish Mr. Pat Robertson wasn't considered a spokesman for Christianity.
Apparently Pat, or more like The 700 Club got the message....his comments are no longer available. I left a comment for him myself....just had to.