Soli Deo Gloria

i've thought about adoption a couple times: that at some point in the future i'd like to adopt a child or two. but it's become reality in my famliy as over the past year or more, my brother and sister-in-law have fully completed the adoption process. from first applying, to attending conferences, to inspections and interviews, on saturday they brought home their baby girl from the hospital.

last night i met my new niece on skype. i wept as i met her. my weeping wasn't because i wasn't there with her (though that played a role!), but because i've witnessed my family through the years praying for a baby, not receiving one, going through this process, and finally coming home with a child.

and so i've also seen the nitty gritty part of adoption. it's not as romantic as i'd like to assume; it's difficult, and full of sorrow, but full of joy. in this process, remember that a mother loses her child. it's agonizing and heartbreaking. and yet, full of love...this child was first loved by her mother, who decided that her child deserved life, and a better life than she could offer.

these are why the tears rolled down my cheeks last night. because through that sorrow of a mother feeling the sting of loss, my family is able to rejoice in new birth and to love that girl with all that we can.

her name is Gloria.

the intention behind her name wasn't solely in the phrase "Soli Deo Gloria," but her name reminds us of it. (check out this song!) Soli Deo Gloria means "for the glory of God alone!" and really that's what this whole process is...for God's glory to be shown. thankful beyond words and tears for how God has worked.