Rob's WHY

 

My calling to adopt is rooted in my faith in Jesus Christ and the seemingly impossible task of living my life in his image. I accepted Christ into my life much later into my early adulthood when my childhood dreams of serving in the United States Military were shattered. I was broken and alone during that time or at least it certainly felt that way. At the age of 18, it became evident that God had very different plans for me. I contemplated my purpose and my calling in life. As the years progressed and opportunities continued to present themselves in suspiciously perfect ways, it became clear to me that divine intervention was present. You see, the door to my dream to serve in the military closed, but another door opened at Florida State University. I applied for a highly competitive service/leadership scholarship after being accepted to FSU. I was awarded the scholarship based on my achievements in high school and asked to participate in a leadership seminar before school started. Have you ever heard of the expression, ask and you shall receive?

While attending the leadership seminar, I became friends with someone that introduced me to Amanda. Within the first week of moving from Michigan to Florida…I had met my wife, Amanda. I may not have known it then, but my purpose in life was provided; to be a husband. After volunteering at the local Sheriff’s office, my calling to serve others in the role of a police officer was formed. Through prayer and self-reflection, I determined that my calling of serving others through the military was not misguided, but simply misplaced. Looking back at it all now, I found my peace when I stopped resisting God’s plans and accepted that my purpose in life was for reasons greater than myself. I can tell you now in hindsight, that these experiences laid the framework for recognizing my calling to grow our family through adoption. However, it would be premature to say that those experiences alone fuel my desire to adopt; because it is more complicated than that for me.

My journey to become a police officer wasn’t necessarily an easy one. There were critics along the way and my commitment to the calling was tested. I remained obedient in my faith and took advantage of the opportunities as they were presented. The Lord provided. My experiences as an inner city police officer reinforced my calling to serve others, but also provided the opportunity to see my community in ways I had never experienced before. I confronted the evil that lurked in the shadows of our community. I saw death and destruction at a level I could never have imagined. I frequently experienced circumstances of failed families and the destructive patterns of brokenness, which had consequences far more complicated than I could fix. What haunted me the most through these experiences were the children. There were so many children that were helpless victims to the circumstances of their broken families, failed promises, abuse, neglect, and the lack of unconditional love and hope. Some part of me always thought that if I could change the life for just one child, it would in some way make up for everything I had done or not done enough of to save all the other children I encountered. I know that’s an idealistic framework and it doesn’t work that way. Maybe some psychologists would label that as some type of complex or something. But I was young and those experiences changed me forever. And just like before, I may not have known it then, but God had planted the seed for adoption in my heart through these experiences.

So why adopt now you might ask? Why adopt at all?

As a husband and a father of two biological children I understand unconditional love in a way that I could not have before. Everett and Clara Grace bring us so much joy and happiness. In fact, it is exceptionally difficult to express into words the relentless love we have for them and the love Amanda and I have for one another. I’m sure you feel the same way about your children. This year has been difficult for so many and the social distancing requirements have provided a lot of time for reflection. As a police officer in today’s America, I found myself thinking about my legacy. What will I leave behind? What will my children have learned from me? What will they remember about me? Everett is three years old and studies the world better than any child I’ve ever known. Clara Grace is growing quickly and I can already tell at the age of one she will be the same way, fiercely independent and curious. My duty as a father is to teach them. To lead them. To shape them into positive contributing members of society. So why adopt now you ask? Well, has there ever been a better time than now?

I heard something years ago that has stuck with me every day since then about legacy.

“What did you stand for in life? What did you mean? Did you leave things better? Did you do your best? Were you courageous? Did you have love and compassion?

My goal in my life in my remaining years is to do my best to begin each day from bended knee; an imperfect man driven by perfect intent to serve my God, my nation and my family. I’m a highly decorated street cop and a lowly decorated Christian. I’d like to balance that out by the time they put me in the ground” – Clay Higgins

Now is a perfect time for our family to grow through adoption. It’s more than just the right thing to do. It’s more than just a commendable thing to do. It’s what God has called us to do by providing the framework and the experiences in our lives and marriage to be bold and courageous and RELENTLESS in our love for family and the legacy we can create together. I got into law enforcement to always stand up for the innocent and the weak and to serve others relentlessly. By growing our family through adoption, we can demonstrate this legacy to our children and inspire others by providing unconditional and relentless love to a child in need.

For thousands of years people have inspired their tribes and clans to rally in order to fight for the intangible ideals that we take for granted today like freedom, justice, love and peace. Anyone remember Braveheart? The days of common people mounting their horses, sword in hand, and pacing in front of their armies inspiring their clans to fight for the chance to be free is over. But, THIS IS US…on our white horse with its feet kicking to the sky, sword in hand, in an attempt to rally you, OUR TRIBE, to support us on this journey to provide unconditional and RELENTLESS love to a child.