“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,Â
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named…†~Ephesians 3:14-15
My husband and I were married 19 years ago. We joined hands, and walked into the future full of hope and joyful expectancy of things to come. We were young, and the blessing of children was the hope of our hearts. But it was not to be, at least in the way and time we had thought.Â
Infertility Journey
Month after month, year after year, we journeyed on the painful road of infertility. What could have pushed us further from God and one another, however, became an impetus of growth and understanding. We drew closer to one another and to God. Not that it was ever easy. The growth happened, in the Garden with Our Lord, uniting our wills with His, and finding the courage to say with Him, “Not my will, but Yours be done.†It was a time of intensity of prayer and communication with each other and Our Lord. There is more room for love in broken hearts, and so this time of surrender to His will and growth in the Garden with Him, blossomed into a loving marriage and lives of service to others. Teaching and youth ministry filled our days and nights, but the heartache never left. Sorrows born in love become sweeter in time, but it was still a suffering. At times I walked with grace, and at other times, I stumbled, tripping on my own feet whenever I focused too much on myself, my sorrows, and my will.Â
A Glimmer of Hope
 Almost 14 years into marriage, I was accepting the fact that the gift of children would never be ours, as we focused on teaching and youth ministry. We had never seriously considered adoption. We thought the ministry path was the way God was calling us to give of ourselves. We also thought it would not be financially feasible.Â
But, one bleak winter day at work a glimmer of light shone; my husband was approached by his boss, the pastor of our parish, regarding a possible adoption opportunity. A mother was in search of a forever family for her unborn baby. Something we never thought could be was suddenly placed before us. We were afraid to hope, but chose to meet with our daughter’s birth mother, who in turn, chose us to be parents.Â
The Gift of Adoption
That first meeting was the beginning of a journey toward the receiving of the greatest gift: our daughter was placed in our arms on our 14th wedding anniversary, the day after her birth. We were blessed to spend that night in the hospital with her and brought her home the next day. I truly believe it was in His plan for us to be a family forever. In this short space, I cannot begin to tell you the countless decisions, job changes, and cross-country moves that led to that moment, but I can tell you that when we truly try to seek His will and serve Him, amidst the script changes and sufferings of life, He can and will surprise us with grace and blessings.Â
Embracing God’s Plan
Nothing has turned out the way I dreamed it would, but His gift shows once more that He can make something beautiful out of the brokenness in this life. He brought our daughter to us and formed our family. Since becoming an adoptive mother, I have come to more deeply appreciate the sacrament of baptism and how God adopts us into His family forever, making us sons, daughters, heirs…it mirrors the spiritual life so beautifully. And it all started with a Baby in a Manger and Growth in the Garden. May I embrace His will and surrender my plans and dreams, and in so doing, open myself to unexpected joy.  Â
Many thanks to my friend Renee Booksh for sharing her beautiful story! Â Â
After graduating from Franciscan University two decades ago, Renée married her Southern gentleman and worked as a teacher and librarian. Many interstate moves later, they settled in Ohio, where Renée currently enjoys using her creative energy in home educating their spirited daughter.
After graduating from Franciscan University two decades ago, Renée married her Southern gentleman and worked as a teacher and librarian. Many interstate moves later, they settled in Ohio, where Renée currently enjoys using her creative energy in home educating their spirited daughter.
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