{"id":302606,"date":"2012-10-03T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-10-03T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/%series%\/drawing-near-to-those-who-are-far\/"},"modified":"2012-10-03T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2012-10-03T15:00:00","slug":"drawing-near-to-those-who-are-far","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/drawing-near-to-those-who-are-far\/","title":{"rendered":"Drawing Near to Those Who Are Far"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A dangerous prayer? Or a step of faith toward great adventures?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":294104,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/web.familylifetoday.com\/fl2012-10-03.mp3","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:","filesize":"23.92M","filesize_raw":"25084612","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":""},"categories":[2818,2822],"tags":[2712,4134,5228,5227],"podcast_series":[7903],"cwp_profile":[3338],"series":[2101],"class_list":["post-302606","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adoption-and-orphans","category-growing-in-your-faith","tag-adoption","tag-life-change","tag-surrender","tag-walk-in-faith","podcast_series-the-anything-prayer","cwp_profile-jennie-allen","series-familylife-today"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/09\/FLT-Podcast-Cover-2-508x508-3.jpg?w=508","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2023\/02\/image-scaled.jpg","download_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-download\/302606\/drawing-near-to-those-who-are-far","player_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-player\/302606\/drawing-near-to-those-who-are-far","audio_player":null,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303?mt=2&app=podcast","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/feed\/podcast\/familylife-today","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"vDLVYUTMUm\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/drawing-near-to-those-who-are-far\/\">Drawing Near to Those Who Are Far<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/drawing-near-to-those-who-are-far\/embed\/#?secret=vDLVYUTMUm\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Drawing Near to Those Who Are Far&#8221; &#8212; FamilyLife\u00ae - A Cru Ministry\" data-secret=\"vDLVYUTMUm\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/09\/FLT-Podcast-Cover-2-508x508-3.jpg",508,508,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"kfairris@familylife.com","author_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/author\/kfairrisfamilylife-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"A dangerous prayer? Or a step of faith toward great adventures?","meta_box":{"show_notes":"","transcript_url":"https:\/\/transcript.familylifetoday.com\/fl2012-10-03.pdf","transcript_content":"<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 One of the things that happened when Zac and Jennie Allen started praying, \u201cLord, we\u2019ll do anything,\u201d was that God led them to an orphanage in Africa and introduced them to a little boy who they would later name Cooper.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 During the daytime, we would go see him and visit him in the orphanage; but they didn\u2019t want us to bring him home quite yet because they wanted us to warm up.\u00a0 I\u2019m scared.\u00a0 I\u2019m thinking this is supposed to be magical.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s the magic?\u201d\u00a0 You know?\u00a0 This is\u2014there\u2019s not this mother\/son bond at first.\u00a0 I just remember God saying, \u201cYou fight for him.\u00a0 You run after him.\u00a0 Don\u2019t quit fighting for him.\u00a0 You keep running after him.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 This is <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> for Wednesday, October 3<sup>rd<\/sup>.\u00a0 Our host is the President of FamilyLife<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine.\u00a0 We\u2019ll find out some of the things God might do if you pray a prayer that says, \u201cI\u2019ll do anything, Lord.\u201d\u00a0 Stay tuned.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd welcome to <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>.\u00a0 Thanks for joining us.\u00a0 I\u2019m just thinking I might as well go ahead and leave today.\u00a0 [Laughter]\u00a0 I\u2019m the guy here without an adopted child at home. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 I think Jennie Allen and I are going to be fighting for the soapbox.\u00a0 <strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 So, I might as well\u2014I\u2019m just going to go check the sports scores and let you guys talk about what\u2019s going on here.\u00a0 How\u2019s that sound?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Well, let me introduce Jennie to our listeners.\u00a0 Jennie Allen and her husband Zac live in Austin, Texas, along with their four children.\u00a0 She\u2019s the author of a number of Bible studies.\u00a0 One called <em>Stuck<\/em>, and the other called <em>Chase<\/em>.\u00a0 She\u2019s the author of a brand-new book called <em>Anything<\/em>\u2014subtitled <em>The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul<\/em>.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 The dangerous prayer\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes, very dangerous.<strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014because it\u2019s that prayer that says, \u201cLord, whatever\u2014\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Right.\u00a0 \u201cYou can have us for anything.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Jennie, welcome back to the broadcast.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Thanks.\u00a0 It\u2019s great to be here.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Well, Jennie, you don\u2019t know this about Barbara and me.\u00a0 I do not remember ever having a conscious thought about adopting a child, as a young man growing up, at any point prior to marrying Barbara; but at some point, early in our marriage, she turned to me and told me that, as a teenager, as a young girl, she had this recurring thought, \u201cPerhaps, someday, I could adopt a child and give a child a forever family.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo, after we\u2019d had four children, when the opportunity occurred while we were speaking at one of our <em>Weekend to Remember<\/em><em><sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/em> marriage getaways, we arrived at the hotel where we were speaking.\u00a0 There was a note waiting on us from a doctor.\u00a0 The doctor said, \u201cPlease call us.\u201d\u00a0 Well, both of us knew exactly what it was.\u00a0 We rushed up to our room, called the doctor, and found out for sure that a teenage girl was giving birth to a little girl and that the young lady wanted to give her a family.\u00a0 He had said, \u201cMy wife and I have been praying.\u00a0 We think you and Barbara\u201d\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Wow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014\u201cshould have that little girl.\u201d\u00a0 We told the doctor, \u201cLet us pray about it.\u201d\u00a0 We did, and we called him back, within 30 minutes.\u00a0 Then, we called our kids and said, \u201cHey, kids, what would you think about this?\u201d\u00a0 I\u2019ll never forget them cheering.\u00a0 It was \u201cYay!\u00a0 Yay, Daddy!\u201d\u00a0 That\u2019s how God added to our family.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAs a little girl, did you think about adopting; or was this something God laid on your heart later?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 You know, it did cross my mind.\u00a0 It was a passing thought.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know that I was convicted about it.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know that I saw it as something you would do unless you struggled with infertility and couldn\u2019t have biological kids.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know that I would have thought of pursuing that, as a child\u2014growing up.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThen, I grow up.\u00a0 I\u2019m watching friends choose adoption, even with a capacity to have bio kids.\u00a0 So, it starts to come before you as an option.\u00a0 You know?\u00a0 I think it probably comes before every Christian family as an option\u2014just to come together and pray, \u201cGod, is this something You would have us to do?\u201d\u00a0 So, we would pray about it.\u00a0 It\u2019s interesting because both of us really felt peaceful that, \u201cYes, this is something we\u2019d be interested in.\u201d\u00a0 We were in the middle of having our kids, though; and at that point, did not want to rock the boat.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 How many children had you had?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 We had two when we had the first conversation about it.\u00a0 Soon after that, decided to have our third.\u00a0 Maybe, mentioned it briefly; but felt peaceful that we were going to go ahead and have a third bio.\u00a0 I think after three, life was really full.\u00a0 That became something we completely put on our shelf because our lives were completely full.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t imagine having four children.\u00a0 So, it really wasn\u2019t a discussion.\u00a0 We were done having kids.\u00a0 So, yes, it didn\u2019t really cross our minds a lot after that.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 So, what happened?\u00a0 Well, I read about it in your book\u2014you had an empty bedroom?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 Well, it wasn\u2019t even a bedroom.\u00a0 It was just a bed.\u00a0 We had bunk beds in my son\u2019s room, and there was an empty bed.\u00a0 He actually moved up to the top bunk because he wanted to sleep on the top bunk.\u00a0 Once he was old enough, we let him.\u00a0 Every time, I\u2019d walk in his room, I just kind of saw this empty bed.\u00a0 It was one of the things that\u2014as we prayed this prayer, \u201cGod, we will do anything,\u201d \u2014we prayed, \u201cGod, You can have this bed, and do you want to fill it?\u201d\u00a0 <br><br>Instantly, we both knew that He did.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t know with whom.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t know how He would fill it.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t know where the child would come from.\u00a0 We considered fostering, and adopting internationally, and adopting domestically.\u00a0 At times, I was like, \u201cMaybe we can just fill it with a missionary, home from sabbatical,\u201d because adoption did feel so big to me; and it is.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Why did adoption feel so big?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Because we were so complete.\u00a0 Our family was working so well.\u00a0 My youngest had just gone to kindergarten.\u00a0 I think it felt like, \u201cWhy would we risk the comfort of our family when we don\u2019t know?\u00a0 We can\u2019t control\u201d\u2014back to that topic\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes; right.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014\u201cwhat happens.\u201d\u00a0 As if our children, our bio kids, were just\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Exactly.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014completely under control.\u00a0 [Laughter]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 One time, we were given the opportunity to help place a baby.\u00a0 We knew of this young lady who was going to carry a baby full-term and place this child in a family.\u00a0 We talked to some friends and asked them if they would pray about the possibility of them adopting this child.\u00a0 I\u2019ll never forget the response.\u00a0 They had a lot of fear around medical issues\u2014around not knowing the background of the child, and history, and all that was packed into the genetics of this child\u2014and said, \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Wow.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 They said, \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0 Now, that could have been a part of how God led them not to so that that child ended up going to another family\u2014that was really the right family.\u00a0 By the way, that child did end up in an incredible family.\u00a0 That\u2019s a great story in and of itself; but people have a lot of fear when they deal with the subject of orphans, and adoption, and foster care\u2014about letting children from other families into their home.\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 It had to come to a point for me that this wasn\u2019t about my life turning out comfortable and easy.\u00a0 This was about obeying God, and I wanted to obey Him\u2014whatever.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want to make a \u201cpros and cons list\u201d about if we should adopt or not because the bottom line is, \u201cAdoption is hard.\u201d\u00a0 It is not\u2014people don\u2019t do it because it\u2019s easy.\u00a0 We did it because God spoke to our family and said, \u201cFill that bed.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>We had been reading in the Scriptures about orphans and widows and that true religion cares for orphans and widows.\u00a0 We couldn\u2019t escape the conviction we felt to, in some way, minister to the millions of children that are without parents and without a home.\u00a0 So, it didn\u2019t come down to, \u201cWe could financially afford it,\u201d or, \u201cWe weren\u2019t worried about genetics.\u201d\u00a0 It came down to, \u201cWe have enough love for this.\u00a0 We can do this.\u00a0 With God\u2019s strength, daily, we\u2019re going to be willing to adopt whatever child He says.\u201d\u00a0 Actually, the journey for us, led us to a three-and-a-half year old boy in Rwanda.\u00a0 It is my favorite story, up to date, of our lives.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 You want to know why it\u2019s a favorite story of yours?\u00a0 I want to read you a passage from Hebrews, Chapter 11, verse 6.\u00a0 It says, \u201cAnd without faith, it\u2019s impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who seek Him.\u201d\u00a0 I think the decision to adopt is, first and foremost, a faith-decision before\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014God that one must come to, only if God leads that couple to say, \u201cYes, God, we believe You are calling us to choose this child,\u201d or, \u201c...to choose to adopt a child and graft them into our family.\u201d\u00a0 If it\u2019s not a faith-decision\u2014if you don\u2019t know God\u2019s leading you, you shouldn\u2019t do it.\u00a0 <br><br>I\u2019ll tell you why.\u00a0 It hitchhikes off of what you said.\u00a0 Adoption is incredibly hard work.\u00a0 Everybody thinks it\u2019s going to be this picture-perfect little deal, where this child wakes up every morning and comes down to breakfast and says, \u201cOh, Mommy, Daddy, thank you for giving me a family.\u201d\u00a0 Adoption is a powerful image of a spiritual reality.\u00a0 I want you to think about this for a moment.\u00a0 How did God get us into His family?\u00a0 He adopted us.\u00a0 Now, has that adoption been easy for God?\u00a0 What did it cost Him?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes, everything.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 It cost Him His son.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 We should be waking up every morning and saying, \u201cThanks, Father, for adopting us,\u201d but we rebel.\u00a0 So, why would we think that adoption would be easy if we\u2019re grafting a child into our family?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Well, I remember waking up in Rwanda.\u00a0 You wake up.\u00a0 There are no nets or anything on the windows, and you just hear the birds.\u00a0 I remember it was right after we had met this little boy that, at first, had a hard time accepting me as a momma.\u00a0 I had been fighting for this boy for a year and a half.\u00a0 I had been praying and hurting to hold him, and he didn\u2019t want to be held by me.\u00a0 It hurt!\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>I\u2019m scared.\u00a0 I\u2019m thinking, \u201cThis is supposed to be magical.\u00a0 Where\u2019s the magic?\u201d\u00a0 This is\u2014there\u2019s not just this mother\/son bond at first.\u00a0 I remember we were praying at night.\u00a0 I just remember God saying, \u201cYou fight for him.\u00a0 You run after him.\u00a0 Don\u2019t quit fighting for him.\u00a0 You keep running after him.\u201d\u00a0 It was so good for my heart to be reminded that God does this for us\u2014that I run from Him.\u00a0 I still wake up and run from Him, daily.\u00a0 After years, and years, and years of knowing the goodness of God, I still run from Him and chase so many things, besides Him.\u00a0\u00a0 <br><br>For me, to see this child and to be inspired to fight for him, I think that is what we need to do as Christians\u2014is to see the crisis of the state of our world and these real little eyes and these real little faces that do not have anybody on earth\u2014and to say, \u201cWe will fight for you.\u00a0 We will do whatever we have to.\u00a0 We will sacrifice our comfort.\u00a0 We will sacrifice our finances.\u00a0 We will do whatever we need to do to fight for you to feel seen, and known, and to show you God.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe way we do that, tangibly\u2014it\u2019s the way Jesus did it.\u00a0 He would walk up first, and He would meet the need\u2014the physical felt-need of that person.\u00a0 Then, He would say, \u201cNow, repent and believe.\u201d\u00a0 I think, as Christians, we\u2019ve got to respond to this movement.\u00a0 It is absolutely a crisis today.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 I really agree with you. I also have to say that, through the adoption process, God has taught me more about His adoption of me and His pursuit of me\u2014your very point\u2014than any other relationship that we\u2019ve had on the planet.\u00a0 It\u2019s a physical reminder of a spiritual reality that God is pursuing us.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>What did God use to break that little boy\u2019s heart and melt his heart into yours?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Fanta<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> slushes from Sonic<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>.\u00a0 [Laughter]\u00a0 It\u2019s true.\u00a0 I got home\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 So, it didn\u2019t happen in Rwanda.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 It didn\u2019t happen in Rwanda.\u00a0 I don\u2019t even know that I\u2019ve talked about this much, not because I\u2019m a closed book about it.\u00a0 It was so difficult, at the time, that I couldn\u2019t even process it.\u00a0 I was just trying, everyday, to wake up and bond with this child and fight for this child.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhen we got back to America, all of a sudden, now, he was on my turf.\u00a0 This little three-and-a-half year old\u2014in my mind\u2014I was like, \u201cThis boy is going to think I hung the moon, and I am going to shower him with love.\u201d\u00a0 I was the one that gave him food.\u00a0 I was the one who held him.\u00a0 I was the one that comforted him.\u00a0 So, what happened through that, he learned to like me.\u00a0\u00a0 [Laughter]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Well, one of the things that occurs in a situation like this is you can\u2019t imagine what it\u2019s like to be holding a child that you\u2019ve chosen\u2014it\u2019s one thing when the birthing process occurs, and they hand you a baby at that point.\u00a0 It\u2019s your baby that you helped create, but there\u2019s something about the adoption process.\u00a0 I can\u2019t even begin to explain it.\u00a0 It\u2019s mystical when you say to another little person, \u201cI choose you!\u201d\u00a0 In turn, they don\u2019t; they push back.\u00a0 They don\u2019t just push back with their wills; they push back with their body.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 You can tell when you\u2019re holding them\u2014they don\u2019t want to be held.\u00a0 They don\u2019t necessarily want to be yours, right now.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes, and I mean it was dark.\u00a0 When I look back at that season still, I just can\u2019t even believe we were the same people.\u00a0 Now, he is so attached to me.\u00a0 When we all say, \u201cWho do you want to tuck you in?\u201d he says, \u201cMomma.\u201d\u00a0 I mean, he just\u2014he adores me now\u2014but, man, was that costly to win.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think it is okay to realize that God\u2019s commitment to us transcended any feeling we had toward Him.\u00a0 It transcended any action on our part.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s going to have to be the same for me,\u201d I realized.\u00a0 My love for him was going to have to transcend what he was\u2014his pushing me away.\u00a0 He was pushing me away, and I had to move toward him over and over again.\u00a0 That is hard on a person, but I believe that it was because of God\u2019s love for us that I could do it.\u00a0 I could keep doing it.\u00a0 It\u2019s what kept coming to my mind.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Jennie, sometimes, I don\u2019t think we realize the lessons that are there\u2014not just for us, as adults, but also, for our kids.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 It\u2019s interesting our daughter, Ashley, has now been a foster mother to\u2014I think, four children.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Wow.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure the subject of being a foster care mom would necessarily be something she would have thought about if she hadn\u2019t watched\u2014even something that was very challenging and difficult, at times, in our family\u2014but she caught the picture of caring for those who\u2019ll never be able to pay you back.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou had something occur with your oldest\u2014right?\u2014Conner\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014who was struggling with his love for some material things at the time, and you took him to Rwanda\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes, he was the one who struggled with the adoption the most.\u00a0 He recognized he would have to share his room and share a lot of his life.\u00a0 He was the only boy in our family, at that point.\u00a0 So, it was taking a lot from him.\u00a0 While everybody else was praying and talking about it, he was really quiet.\u00a0 It was fascinating, to me, to watch him change as we got over there and saw life there.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>Now, I will say this.\u00a0 One of my fears is not esteeming his country enough because I took him from an amazing place.\u00a0 I mean, his country is glorious.\u00a0 They love God.\u00a0 It is absolutely the most gorgeous place on earth.\u00a0 It was prettier than Hawaii.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been there.\u00a0 It\u2019s an amazing country.\u00a0 I love the people.\u00a0 I can\u2019t wait to take him back; but his little orphanage\u2014he ate one meal a day.\u00a0 There were 25 kids for two adults in a room, and his needs could never be met there.\u00a0 They tried.\u00a0 They loved these kids.\u00a0 They are there because of the welfare of these kids, but his needs could never be met.\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tMy son, observing all of this\u2014I mean, it just broke him.\u00a0 At the time, he was into cars.\u00a0 It started with Hot Wheels<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>.\u00a0 It had transcended to reading car magazines and talking about wanting a Ferrari<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> someday.\u00a0 He had no idea of the\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Right.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014money and what he was saying.<br><br><strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Sure.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 But it would make me sick when I would listen to it because we\u2019re pursuing this boy that has\u2014he doesn\u2019t even have a soccer ball in this orphanage in Rwanda.\u00a0 It just would make my skin crawl even though I didn\u2019t want to be legalistic about it because it\u2019s certainly not wrong to have a nice car; but I just wanted more for him.\u00a0 I wanted him to dream about bigger things\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Right.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br><strong>Jennie:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014than what he could do with $100,000 rather than buy a car.\u00a0 People listening to this, Dennis, are thinking, \u201cA Lamborghini<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> is a lot more money than $100,000.\u201d\u00a0 I don\u2019t know the exact number.\u00a0 There are people, and he was one of them that knew.\u00a0 \u201cIt was exactly $323,000 to get one.\u201d\u00a0 <br><br>But my son goes over to Rwanda.\u00a0 When we came back, we go on a little run together.\u00a0 He says, \u201cMom, things have changed for me.\u00a0 I realize that I\u2019m so blessed to have the education that I have,\u201d because we fed, one day, all of these street boys.\u00a0 They would come up to us and say, \u201cSend me to school.\u00a0 Will you sponsor me?\u00a0 Will you sponsor me?\u201d\u00a0 Now, they barely know English; but they know that phrase because they are looking to be sponsored because all they want to do is go to school.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tMy son, who\u2019s brilliant\u2014he does so well in school\u2014but he didn\u2019t think to thank God about it.\u00a0 He said, \u201cMom, I want to use my education to make a difference in this world.\u00a0 I want to do it with all my heart.\u00a0 I want to be thankful that I get to wake up every day and go to an amazing school.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>I mean, that\u2019s the stuff that you can say to your kids over and over again; but until they see with their own eyes\u2014people that live differently than them\u2014that value different things.\u00a0 Now, all of a sudden, he was dreaming better dreams than having a Lamborghini.\u00a0 Again, not that it\u2019s wrong; but I wanted more for him.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Alexander Solzhenitsyn says there are two kinds of problems today: \u201cThose that are far away, that we see on TV, and those that are near.\u201d\u00a0 If you want your heart to be changed and you want to see your kids\u2019 hearts changed, you should go near the orphan.\u00a0 I can\u2019t explain it, Jennie, but there is something about going near the orphan.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019m thinking back now to going to Beijing, China, to an orphanage of children who were street kids\u2014they were outcasts\u2014that had major, physical handicaps.\u00a0 A young lady, who was 17 years old, and orphaned, who was blind, and who had been used by her uncle to sing in bars and make money\u2014her voice was like that of an angel.\u00a0 She\u2019d been picked up and being cared for now, in this Christian orphanage.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>I remember being with a couple of other folks.\u00a0 I said\u2014through an interpreter\u2014to this young lady, \u201cWould you sing <em>Jesus Loves Me<\/em>\u201d?\u00a0 She began to sing that song.\u00a0 It\u2019s like everything else on the planet completely blurs out, in the face of an orphan, and going near their hearts.\u00a0 I know you know what I\u2019m talking about because you see that face every morning, and all day long, and at night.\u00a0 You love that little guy and your family is learning those lessons.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIt\u2019s a tremendous privilege to be able to tell your story, here, on <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> and to encourage our listeners, \u201cWhat\u2019s your part in the orphan crisis?\u201d\u00a0 I mean, we\u2019re talking about a legitimate crisis, here in America.\u00a0 There\u2019s close to 500,000 in foster care and over a 130,000 in foster care, who could be adopted right now; but there are not families for them.\u00a0 Worldwide\u2014it\u2019s beyond imagination.\u00a0 There are over 140 <em>million<\/em> orphans in the world.\u00a0 The only organization big enough is the Church.\u00a0 It\u2019s Christians, like you, like me, who decide they are going to do something.\u00a0 They can\u2019t do everything; but perhaps, they can help one.\u00a0 The message is, \u201cGo near.\u201d\u00a0 If you need help in going near, pick up a copy of Jennie\u2019s book, <em>Anything<\/em>, because she talks about the prayer that unlocked her God and her soul.\u00a0 I think you\u2019ll benefit from it.\u00a0 <br><br>Jennie, I want to thank you for being on the broadcast.\u00a0 I also want to thank you for sharing my soapbox with me because we sufficiently took over the broadcast.\u00a0 Right, Bob?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 Oh, you\u2019re talking to me?\u00a0 I really did not feel like I had anything significant to add.\u00a0 You guys were doing fine.\u00a0 It\u2019s a great story.\u00a0 In fact, I love how you share this story in your book, <em>Anything<\/em>.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got copies of the book in our <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> Resource Center.\u00a0 If listeners would like to hear more\u2014learn more about how God answered your prayer when you prayed that you would do anything God asked, go to FamilyLifeToday.com for more information on Jennie Allen\u2019s book, <em>Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0 Again, the website is FamilyLifeToday.com.\u00a0 You can also call us, toll-free, if you\u2019d like a copy of the book: 1-800-358-6329.\u00a0 That\u2019s 1-800- \u201cF\u201d as in family, \u201cL\u201d as in life, and then, the word, \u201cTODAY\u201d.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>Now, I think many of our friends are aware that, in recent days, we have begun to lay the foundation for a new ministry that is going to be a part of what we\u2019re doing here at FamilyLife.\u00a0 Our friend, Ron Deal, has joined our team here.\u00a0 Ron is probably the leading expert on the subject of step- and blended families in America.\u00a0 He\u2019s written a number of books on that subject.\u00a0 We want to do everything we can, here, at FamilyLife to help step- and blended families succeed and to thrive.\u00a0 Whatever your circumstance\u2014whatever got you where you are\u2014we want to see you experience all that God intends for you in your family.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWith that in mind, this week, when you help support the ministry of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> with a donation, we want to send you your choice of either Ron Deal\u2019s book, <em>The Remarriage Checkup<\/em>\u2014a book to help you evaluate how you\u2019re doing and see where there are areas for growth in your remarriage\u2014or two CD\u2019s: one, where we have a conversation with Ron about being a stepdad; and another one, where we talk with Ron and Laura Petherbridge about being a stepmom.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou can select your choice of those resources when you support the ministry of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>, this week, with a donation.\u00a0 Your donations make this program possible.\u00a0 All you have to do is go online at FamilyLifeToday.com.\u00a0 Click the button that says, \u201cI CARE\u201d.\u00a0 Make an online donation and select the resource you\u2019d like as your thank-you gift; or call 1-800-FL-TODAY.\u00a0 Make a donation over the phone.\u00a0 Just mention that you\u2019d like some of the step-family resources.\u00a0 We\u2019ll let you know what\u2019s available and help you make the selection that\u2019s right for you.\u00a0 Let me just say, \u201cThanks for your support of the ministry of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 We couldn\u2019t do what we do without you, and we appreciate your financial support.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe want to encourage you to be back with us again tomorrow when we are going to talk about relationships and about dating.\u00a0 Is the way that most people are doing that these days\u2014is it more conformed by what the culture has to say about dating or more informed by what the Bible has to say about that?\u00a0 I hope you can tune in for tomorrow\u2019s program.\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, and our entire broadcast production team.\u00a0 On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine.\u00a0 We will see you back tomorrow for another edition of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tHelp for today.\u00a0 Hope for tomorrow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe are so happy to provide these transcripts to you.\u00a0 However, there is a cost to produce them for our website.\u00a0 If you\u2019ve benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider <a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/donate\">donating today<\/a> to help defray the costs?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tCopyright <sup>\u00a9<\/sup> 2012 FamilyLife.\u00a0 All rights reserved.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/\">www.FamilyLife.com<\/a>\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t1\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>","theme_header_position":"","post_header_is_sticky":"","is_header_overlay":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast\/302606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/podcast"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=302606"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=302606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=302606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=302606"},{"taxonomy":"podcast_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast_series?post=302606"},{"taxonomy":"cwp_profile","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cwp_profile?post=302606"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=302606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}