Somewhere between a backpack and a boulder

My husband and I are big fans of the book Boundaries and one of the concepts that really clicked with me was the examination of two verses from Galatians.  The authors start with looking at Galatians 6:2:

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

and then contrasts that with the statement 3 verses later:

"For every man shall bear his own burden."

I intentionally pulled this from the King James because it translates both words as "burden" which might seem confusing.  It looks like you are supposed to carry your own and other people's burdens.  In Boundaries though it shows that the original words were different and they define how we should help one another.  The first burden in verse 2 that we are supposed to share is more like a giant boulder.  It is something huge that no one could carry alone. The second one is more along the lines of a small load that could fit in a backpack that any of us could bear.  In the context of Boundaries, the authors were trying to say that we need to take care of our own basic responsibilities and not be dependent on others for things like our job, our exercise routine, parenting but that we should look to help those with boulders in their life that they can't handle alone like a terrible medical diagnosis, a financial crisis, etc.  

So what does this have to do with adoption?  Everything!  I believe that adoption lies in that gray area somewhere between the two.  We chose this path and we are the ones that have to bear the load of doing the paperwork, getting the medical exams, going through background checks, and a lot of the financial cost.  But I believe that we have the opportunity to ease the burden of those going through adoption (or serving as missionaries, feeding the poor, helping widows) by praying for them, standing by them and supporting them financially.  We know that every Christian is not called to adopt but every Christian is called to help orphans and by helping us, you are doing that.  I am so blessed by the messages, hugs, emails, blog comments, and notes, and checks that have come our way since we announced our adoption.  I read this blog last week about the "The Pros and Cons of Adoption Fundraising" and it really hit home especially the "Teaches Humility" part.  It is hard for me to ask for or accept help but the $30,000 is more than we can do alone in the next 6 months and I have to let people bless us.  Thank you so much for every one of you who has prayed, loved and encouraged us.  You are carrying us right now and our burden is getting lighter every day. Whether you donate, buy a shirt, pray, share our story, whatever you can do, you are part of this journey and we could not feel more blessed.