Adopting a Son

I was somewhat reluctant when my wife wanted us to adopt a son.  At that time we had three girls and we were comfortable being parents to girls.  Having a son was an unknown experience.  Plus, my daughters were “daddy’s girls†and if I’m honest, I suppose I really liked having that parental role. 

Our three girls were quite well-behaved and I (mistakenly) thought that boys were more difficult because of their energy level and rambunctious behavior.  God has shown me through my fourth daughter that girls can have every bit as much energy and willpower as boys can! 

As my wife’s desire for a son increased, my trepidation at adopting a son increased.  I’m ashamed to say I was concerned about “fleshly†things such as his reflection on me in his ability to do well in school, sports, etc.  I also found myself thinking about him “carrying on the family name.† As things progressed and my wife and I began considering a boy on China’s Waiting Child list – I found myself trusting my wife’s knowledge that God had, in His sovereignty, determined how to form our family.  

In the book of Ephesians it says that God can, “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.† That is how I would sum up what it’s like being the father to my son:  immeasurably more than I could ever have hoped, dreamed or imagined.  I still love having “daddy’s girls†but I have found that just as much, I love having someone to play catch with, watch football games, talk about cars, watch NASCAR and countless other things that my girls aren’t interested in.  It is so much fun to have a son who is a star soccer player; it’s fun when we’re apart from my wife and daughters and just having “guys’ timeâ€.  I could not be more proud of him and I now know that having a son through birth would not make any difference. 

I’m writing this posting from China where I’ve visited orphanages in which there are boys waiting for someone to call Mom and Dad.  If you or friends of yours are interested in learning more, please visit our China Waiting Child program for more information.  There are boys available in our other country adoption programs, too – and often the wait times are shorter than when requesting a girl. 

To all the husbands out there who may have some of the same reluctance I had, I would encourage you to trust God for what I’m confident will be more than you could ever hope or imagine:  a son by adoption. 

Sincerely,
Brian Luwis, CEO
Proud father to Abel