not to us

Apart from the stray snarky comment or skeptical attitude, we have been met with such support throughout the adoption process thus far. From the very get-go, our adoption has been described by others as "noble" or "selfless" or the like. I just wanted to take a moment to share with you that, while we appreciate your kind words, Matt and I are not adopting a child because we're some nice, super Christian couple. Not hardly. We're just as screwed up and broken as anyone. The thing is, we have come to know the matchless, infinite, radical love of God, and it is in light of this that we are compelled to love in return.

When I was a camper at Camp Willow Run as a teenager, one of my counselors encouraged us to memorize Psalm 115:1. The words have stuck with me for years, and over the past few months, I have found myself reciting them to myself over and over and over again...

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness."

Man, I love that. At the very moment I am tempted to pat myself on the back for what we are doing, I am reminded that my every move and every breath is to bring glory and fame to God. This is not about me. This is not even about sweet Wyatt. This is about the One who spoke the world into motion and breathed life into our lungs.

So, please, instead of looking to us as examples of love, look to the cross. You'll find what you're looking for there.