Aching Arms

As I was putting Liam to bed tonight, he asked me to sing his favorite lullaby, a simple little tune that has calmed him countless times over the past two and a half years. As I sang and cuddled with my son, my mind wandered - as it so often does these days - to our Rwandan child. How long will it be until I hold him or her close and sing those same sweet words for the first time? Will they comfort that little one as they have my other children?

Tonight, for the first time since we began this adoption journey, my arms literally ached to hold my chosen child. The busyness generated by paperwork and the expectation of long months of waiting tend to overshadow the reality of this incredible miracle unfolding before us.

Our child, at this moment, is most likely in the womb or already in the orphanage. Maybe he or she is still with a birthparent, but poverty or illness will soon lead to abandonment. Thoughts such as these inspire me to pray more fervently, not only for our child, but also for the parents and/or caregivers. If you read this, please join me. Your prayers for our son or daughter are so precious!