National Council for Adoption Names Mary Robinson New President
August 27, 2009Weekend Ponderings: Uncertainties and Surprises
August 28, 2009
I’ve received several private e-mails this week from prospective adoptive parents whose children seem to be taking “the long way home” — their paperwork delayed, or the process disrupted altogether.
Please offer with me today this “Prayer for Adoptive Parents,” for all adoptive and foster parents who are struggling in their vocation … won’t you?
The “Prayer of Abandonment” for Adoptive Parents
Father, we abandon ourselves into your hands,
to send a child … or not … as you see fit.
You by whom the Word was made flesh,
send us a miracle, if this is what you desire.
Or lead us to her, if that be your will.
We do not ask for guarantees; no parent can.
Only light enough for the very next step.
We do not ask for a perfect child,
nor can we promise to be perfect parents.
Whatever you choose for us, whatever you desire
we abandon ourselves to your perfect will.
We are ready to offer our daily “yes,”
until that perfect will be revealed in us.
And until, at last perfected, we bear witness
to the work of redemption you began in Eden.
We love you, Lord, and offer ourselves to you,
wholly and without reservation.
We surrender ourselves, moment by moment,
knowing that this is only the first small step
Of a lifetime of surrender,
so that we may be made more perfect in love.
That we might imitate, on earth as in heaven,
the redemptive love
the adoptive love
the selfless love
with which you first loved us.
