Yesterday, the caregiver’s sister adopted her. 

The orphanage director told this to my husband concerning the baby we had fostered the previous year. The one we had found a home for when we moved to a new province over a year ago. Caring Lady loved Little Sister.

Four months earlier, our daughter had just been diagnosed with Cri-du-Chat Syndrome and we closed those doors to adoption.

A few months later, we learned that the orphanage had taken Little Sister away from Caring Lady. We prayed. We asked Caring Lady if she was going to adopt. We were told no. 

So, we cracked the adoption door to watch God swing it fully open. This all led to expectations about the outcome: Adopting Little Sister. 

We sometimes do not even know we have expectations until they are unmet. 

I could relate with Jairus. He had expected Jesus to come and heal his daughter, not tarry on the street and talk to a woman who had apparently stolen a miracle of healing from the Teacher. And then have the news that it was too late. His daughter had already died. If only Jairus had come earlier. If only Jesus had not stopped… 

After the news that Little Sister was not to be ours, we were crushed. If only we had come sooner… Was all our effort and money spent on a home study to end this way? Fear crept in as well. Why would God swing open the door to shut it in our face?

Jesus spoke to Jairus’ heart. “Do not be afraid any longer, but only believe…” (v50). And as the story goes, they continue to the home of Jairus where they are met by people who were “wailing and mourning” (v52). All evidence pointed to the fact that his daughter was indeed dead. But Jesus brought her to life.

All evidence pointed that Little Sister now had a loving home with Caring Lady and her family. Not with us. 

The questions came until a still small voice spoke to us, What if I didn’t shut the door? What if I used this to get you to crack open the door? 

So, in faith instead of fear, we walked through the adoption door. One year later we were matched to Little Pearl.