Hey SBC Voices world, I have been away for a while, testing out the theory that it’s better to be silent and considered a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. Things in this country have been pretty shaky, which leads me to my letter today. I have message a little with Micah, but wanted to share my thoughts to him with all of you. I am up the lovely I-29 corridor from Micah’s old stomping ground, and met him the few times he ventured out of the “south” to the “Midwest”. That Missouri to Iowa transition can be tricky.
Fries Family, including Haddon. During the presidential . . . fiasco that we witnessed in this country and all the turmoil that surrounded it, I kept myself sane by watching video feeds of your family from Africa. You went to Africa to bring home your son, Haddon and I have to tell you the impact that watching the experience had on me. In this country, we have people protesting for the right to kill their kids, but you went half way around the world to bring your child home.
I can only imagine what this experience has been like for Haddon, but I know several children adopted from places like Korea and Haiti. To go from life in an orphanage to life in a home makes me heart happy. To think about kids who live in harsh conditions, no parents and little stability. I looked at pictures of Haddon helping to make breakfast, playing with the family puppy and pictures of his room. While I question the sports teams the boy has been subjected too, being a Packers fan is worth it. He is loved and has safety and security that we take for granted so often in our country. Our college kids know nothing about needing a “safe space”. You have provided one.
You have shown us all what the gospel looks like, what it really, really looks like. We were orphans, we had so little and were so lost we didn’t even know how little we had. God, in His love and grace and mercy comes to us and gives us more than we need and a home and a family. We are spiritually safe, we are eternally secure and we are loved and treasured forever. Haddon will of course have difficult times in life, we all do. He will never have to worry about where to call home or where he is loved. We have difficult times, but we know they are just a temporary setback.
As I watch the United States fight within itself, I am tempted to fret and despair. As I see women march for the right to have an abortion, I’m discouraged, but when I see a Pastor take his family to Africa to bring home a son, I’m encouraged. When I see churches holding up adoptive families, I’m encouraged. When I see generosity and love and compassion that happens in our churches, I’m encouraged. I’ve been encouraged as people have shown love to me and my family after having my 2nd back surgery in 2 months. I’ve had a lot of down time to read and watch the news and see all the discouragement out there, but I am blessed by Micah and his wife and three kids. It’s the picture of God’s love and grace that we need to show people is available. Oh how He loves us.
God Bless,
Dan