Hope When It's Hard: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive Parents: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive Parents

by Jennifer Phillips

Overview

Hope When It's Hard is more than encouragement for adoptive parents. It's a lifeline. 

You finally surrendered. You opened your heart when you said, "Yes, God, I'll adopt." But now you've discovered that opening your heart to the idea of adoption is the easiest part of the journey. Now comes the emotional ups and downs that only another adoptive parent can understand. 

Hope When It's Hard offers words of encouragement to help adoptive parents navigate the emotional ups and downs of adoption. Regardless of where you are in the process-just beginning or now living with the teenagers you adopted as infants-there are struggles unique to adoptive parenting. Weaving elements of her own journey through adoption, Jennifer helps you find hope as you begin to see God's adoptive heart toward you.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781563096549
Publisher:	New Hope Publishers (AL)
Publication date:	10/12/2020
Pages:	146
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

Jennifer Phillips, author of the widely praised book Bringing Lucy Home, is an adoptive parent to a loving little girl she and her husband affectionately named Lucy. Actively involved in discipling women, she is also a volunteer at her children’s school. A psychology graduate of Samford University (Birmingham, Alabama), she served as executive director for the local Sav-A-Life, a national network of crisis pregnancy centers. She and her family moved back to Birmingham, Alabama, from Brisbane, Australia, where she now works with adoptive families. For more information, visit her blog at jenniferphillipsblog.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 9

Introduction 11

Day 1 Our Story of Adoption 13

Day 2 Adoption-A Calling? 17

Day 3 His Plan, His Provision 21

Day 4 The Waiting Game 25

Day 5 What About Doubts? 31

Day 6 When Others Aren't on Board 35

Day 7 Wrecked in the Very Best Way 39

Day 8 When God Says "No" 43

Day 9 A Miraculous Moment 47

Day 10 Birth Mothers-Our Heroes 51

Day 11 Adoption Is Not Natural 57

Day 12 Living with Loss 61

Day 13 Patient Pursuit 65

Day 14 Loneliness 69

Day 15 Worth It 73

Day 16 New Family, New Normal 77

Day 17 Lean In 81

Day 18 The Burden of Guilt 85

Day 19 The Best Version of Yourself 89

Day 20 Trust Equals Freedom 93

Day 21 Mama Always Comes Back 97

Day 22 The Comparison Trap 101

Day 23 Adoption Can Rock Your Marriage 105

Day 24 What if I Fail My Child? 111

Day 25 God, Do You See Me? 115

Day 26 Do I Have a Deserving Heart? 119

Day 27 Celebrate the Small Things 123

Day 28 Those Who Are Left Behind 127

Day 29 The Lucky Ones 131

Day 30 Home 137

Conclusion 141

Editorial Reviews

"Reading Hope When It's Hard, was an encouragement to me over and over again. Adoption is not for the faint of heart, but the journey is so very worth the joys and struggles. Jennifer does a beautiful job of capturing the fears, worries, excitement, pain, and hope that comes during the adoption process, all the while pointing us directly to Jesus and His glorious Word. Whether you have adopted, know someone who is adopting, plan to adopt, or simply have a heart for adoption, this book will undoubtedly be a blessing to you too!"

-Heather Platt, wife to Dr. David Platt, (president of the International Mission Board and author of "Radical"), and mom of four incredible children (including two who joined the family through adoption)

"Jennifer Phillips is one of the most qualified authors to write on the subject of adoption." -Wales Goebel, founder Lifeline Children's Service and Sav-A-Life, Sex and family education

"Hope When It's Hard is a raw and inspiring look at the journey of adoption. As an adoptive parent, I was encouraged by the sense of community sparked by Jennifer's honest words. I agree with her statement, "Adoption is a gift that wrecks your life in the very best way." Hope When It's Hard is an encouragement and a joyful reminder of the gospel. No matter where you are in your journey of adoption, you will want to read this book." 

-Sara W. Berry, CEO of Bethel Road Publications and author of A Broken Mirror

"The journey of adoption . . . more joy, more fear, more everything than you realized you signed on for. You need Jesus, and you need a friend who gets it because she's been there. You have such a friend in Jennifer Phillips. Don't let her winsome manner and sharp wit fool you; she'll draw you in and go straight to the heart of the matter. You'll leave these pages feeling seen, understood, and, most of all, drawn to the Father." 

-Julie Sparkman, executive director of Restore Counseling Ministries

"I've prayed, dreamed, and longed for the book you now hold in your hands. The God who awaits you in these pages answered that prayer through my friend Jennifer Phillips. This is a powerful, honest, and beautiful devotional for families who have adopted, fostered, or contemplated either. Yet it is also for all of us no matter our journey. In these pages, you will be captivated by a God who pursues you daily, combating your orphan mentality and heart with His work of grace." 

-Herbie Newell, president and executive director of Lifeline Children's Services

"It is rare to find a resource for parents that is authentic about the joys and challenges of the adoption journey. Though it is not easy, this devotional reminds each of us that it is worth it to press in and press forward."

-Terri Coley, director of pre/post adoption support and founding board member of Show Hope

ˇ˛"Hope When It's Hard is a raw and inspiring look at the journey of adoption. As an adoptive parent, I was encouraged by the sense of community sparked by Jennifer's honest words. I agree with her statement, "Adoption is a gift that wrecks your life in the very best way." Hope When It's Hard is an encouragement and a joyful reminder of the gospel. No matter where you are in your journey of adoption, you will want to read this book." 

-Sara W. Berry, CEO of Bethel Road Publications and author of A Broken Mirror

From the Publisher