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Thoughts on Narnia and Adoption
Posted by Shaylee Honey on September 20, 2010 at 5:43 am
This week, we have a guest blogger who is also a prospective adoptive parent knee-deep in the waiting process. Read on for her sweet thoughts on Narnia, adoption and God's purposes for us.
The Chronicles of Narnia, written by C.S. Lewis, is a favorite series around our house. Every couple of years or so, we inevitably gravitate to their spot on our bookshelf, pull one down, and read aloud to each other. One of our favorite parts of the entire story happens in Prince Caspian in a conversation between the little girl, Lucy, and the great, royal, untamed lion, Aslan. After not seeing him in a long while, Lucy has come upon Aslan in the woods unexpectedly. Here is their exchange:
"Welcome, child," [Aslan] said.
"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."
"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
Is this not a profoundly accurate fact for those of us who know--and are continuing to get to know--God?
My husband, Steve, and I embarked on the adoption process years ago--before we even knew it. In hindsight, we look back now and can see how the Lord was gradually unveiling His plan for us to pursue open adoption through Christian Homes & Family Services. It began with a time of disappointment which led to a timely book that invoked much research and even more prayer which then resulted in a conversation and culminated in action. One day, after listening to a sermon, we just looked at each other and said, "We're supposed to do this." Eventually, we were pointed to a couple who had used Christian Homes as their agency. After a long and informative phone conversation with that adoptive mother, I remember telling my husband, "If these are the kind of people who adopt, I want to be a part of that crowd!" So, we attended the Christian Homes orientation, still somewhat skeptical about open adoption; but somehow, by the time we drove the four hours back home, the Lord had done a work in our hearts. He clearly revealed to us that this grand idea of adoption was not solely to be undertaken in order to fill a place of desire in our hearts. He has a much higher purpose in this. Yes, it will be an answer to prayer and will fulfill a desire that we've had for many years now. However, we are to view this adoption as a ministry, to be to our child and our birthmother what God would have us be. We have room in our hearts as well as room in our home, and this is to be an act of worship and service to God.
Our journey is still in process, since we are in "the waiting period." Although it is at times an exercise in patience and discipline, this is a good place to be. We are growing because He is preparing our hearts for what lies ahead. He is teaching us to be content where we are, to work hard at what He has given us to do for now, and to pray for the lives that are about to intersect in His own way and at His own time. Thus, we find that we are having our own "Aslan" encounters in this uncharted territory, and we can understand what Aslan is conveying to Lucy in the story. God certainly hasn't changed through our adoption journey, but as a result of it, He is surely looking bigger in our eyes!
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Tozer tells us that many Christians know Him by inference thru their 5 senses = the small Aslan. Growing we know He is here = larger Aslan. Joy and peace in Him.
O fraptious day kaloof kalay!- Cap Asay
Love this conversation from Narnia. And I love how it depicts Steve and Whitney’s hearts so well. Their lives encourage me to see God in all His Gigantic Bigness!
- Dana McCampbell
