Yesterday afternoon we phoned our adoption agency to say we will not be moving forward with this birth mom and her baby boy… I'm struggling with the words to fully articulate all the thoughts, emotions and prayers that led us to this decision. While we feel certain it's the right decision for us and for our family, it's so very hard to let go.
When we looked at all angles of the situation, there were just too many risks to the baby's health, both short-term and long-term, to ignore. Nothing we heard from those we knew in the medical field and from fellow adoptive parents of children who were subjected to drugs in utero was positive. In the end, we felt it would be the most fair to ourselves, to the baby, and our adoption agency, to make our decision before he was born, and not in the hospital room.
Our agency sent out an urgent email to all the waiting families today, in hopes to find another family who can love this child and provide him with what he will need. Please cover this child in prayer, specifically that he will have minimal health issues in spite of what he's been subjected to in the womb. Pray for his future, that he will be loved and supported through the challenges he will face both physically and mentally. Pray for his future family; for peace, patience, and an equipped heart to meet his needs. We also ask that you pray for his birth mother, Shenelle. She is clearly so broken and lost. Pray the Lord will meet her where she is and change the course of her life for the better. She needs saving in so many ways.
Our friend Ashleigh said it best in a text message of encouragement today… "Perhaps that was the Lord's master plan in bringing this family to your attention… to mobilize prayers from so many that would have never known their story." We agree completely.
