Celebrating The Other Women Who Made Me A Mom

Mother’s Day was especially hard one year, right there in the midst of my own hard, emotional infertility season. And then God led us to adoption and I became a mom one week before Mother’s Day 2007.

That’s how dreams are sometimes – they seem so far out of reach and then they happen in an instant and we realize the timing is perfect. Of course, when I was waiting to be called “Momma,” I didn’t think the timing was perfect!

But hindsight offers perspective.

Truth is, I wouldn’t be a mom if it weren’t for other women who chose life for their babies and then chose me to be their mom.

 

Three times, I became a mom because of adoption. Sure, infertility led us there, but since the day we stopped trying to conceive a baby, I’ve had no doubts this was God’s plan for our family.

Adoption is relational to its core. Always rooted in grief, adoption is a redemption process that builds families and connects people beyond the walls of one home. The earthly process of bringing a child home this way mirrors the spiritual adoption of God choosing us for an inheritance we share with Christ. It’s kingdom work that sanctifies.

I remember the years of longing to be called “Momma.” I remember the tears. I remember the words from others – who had no idea I was struggling – and how they stung. I remember thinking the waiting and yearning were wasting my time. I remember our church with so many growing families was a hard place to be.

Since then, holding my sleeping babies in church has always been holy for me. It such an ordinary action, yet it’s proof God hears the desires of our hearts and calls us for a specific purpose. A sleeping baby who is at home nestled in the crook of my arm is evidence that God brought light to the darkness.

Truth was, God had a plan to make a mom – and it involved three other women. I still have relationships with them. Yes, open adoption is scary. But I often thank God for it being part of my motherhood story.

I think about when Psalm 68:6 says, “God places the lonely in families …” and realize how true that is. Yes, God has placed our three children who needed families in our family. But he also put these birth moms in our lives. They may not do everyday life with us, but they’re prayed for regularly. Because of adoption they have someone else on their side in life.

I celebrate the way God has molded me and grown me through this process. And I celebrate the friends I probably wouldn’t have if we hadn’t walked alongside each other in adoption.

This is adoption. This is mothering. This is a glimpse into God’s kingdom. These are dreams only God can fulfill.

Shared by: Kristin Hill Taylor