Last night I witnessed the full circle of love in adoption – the reuniting of years of love for one precious little girl-all grown up.
Almost 18 years ago I received a call from what was then called the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Marion, Illinois. A young lady had just left with the plans to have an abortion. Knowing God has no limitations on the “2 or 3 gather in my name,” we prayed together on the phone. We prayed specifically that God will take care of this young mom and her unborn child. We asked that someone would come into her life to help her through this difficult time.
A few short months later I received a call from a hospital that a very young mother had given birth to a very tiny baby girl and she did not feel she was at the point in her life to raise her child. This was the mother and the child we had prayed for!
Through the ministry of Illinois Baptist Children's Home, we were able to support this precious young mom. In talking about her situation, she said, “I didn’t know what to do. I felt so alone and scared. I didn’t want to choose abortion and I also thought about ending my life because I had no one. All my life I have struggled.”
She made an adoption plan for her beautiful baby girl. Although a heart-wrenching decision, she knew it was best for her baby. The baby’s birthfather was very supportive and together they put the needs of their child ahead of their own emotional ones and placed her in the love of an adoptive family who had prayed for years for a little girl they had already named – Amber.
Through the next 17 years pictures and letters of Amber’s life were shared with her birth family. Her adoptive mom (Mom) and adoptive dad (Dad) kept an open line of communication with Amber, being sensitive to what she needed to be a healthy and happy girl and young woman. As she approached her teen years they were aware of her desire to know more of her birth family, so together Amber and her mom made plans to have a reunion.
What an amazing time! Love, laughter and tears of joy filled the room for 5 hours at the Angels' Cove office of Illinois Baptist Children's Home and Family Services. Stories and photos were shared from throughout the years. Everyone was touched by Amber’s birthfather who had saved every thing he had ever received, recording Amber’s journey.
Amber was introduced to her younger “sister” whom she had never met. Everyone searched to know each other better, to fill in the 18 year gap of their lives.
This reunion was a perfect display of unselfish love. Amber’s mom said, “They loved their daughter enough to place her in our arms 18 years ago.....and we love her enough to help them reunite today. It's like the final piece of a puzzle is found and placed in the right spot to make a complete picture.”
Amber posted on her Facebook, “
