Vlad Update: Commendable

(When you see Vlad Update you know that the post is concerning our adoption process).

I was at the bank this morning making a deposit into our adoption account.  The banker that usually does our accounts was out and I asked if she was going to be in early next week because I have a stack of documents to get notarized and she is the notary.  The answer was yes and he asked, "why so many documents".  I replied that we are in the process of adopting a Ukrainian teenager.  He said, "wow that is commendable".

Commendable.  What is commendable?  An online dictionary has the definition as this:

com·mend  (k-mnd)tr.v. com·mend·ed, com·mend·ing, com·mends

1. To represent as worthy, qualified, or desirable; recommend.

2. To express approval of; praise. 

3. To commit to the care of another; entrust.

com·menda·ble adj.

I replied to him, it's just the right thing to do.  That is how Tom and I work.  Is it the right thing to do?  Either yes or no.  Is it what Yahweh/God wants us to do?  Yes or no?  We live the Bible in it's most literal sense.  If the Bible says that true religion is taking care of the widows and orphans, then that is what we should do.  It's not commendable to do the right thing.  It's just what we do.  Commendable, to me, means going above and beyond the call of duty.  Adopting an orphan is not above and beyond, it's just the right thing.  It's what He tells us to do.  

We spent years going to different churches only to be disappointed in their lack of true Biblical knowledge.  It seems to be the thing these days to fit Holy Scripture to the agenda instead of the other way around.  Similar to the Jewish Pharisee's in Yahshua/Jesus' time who told the people that instead of taking care of their parents that they could instead donate that money to the Temple and it would count as righteousness to Yahweh/God.  Today we are told to donate for various things that the churches want or need and that will count as righteousness.  And we ignore what He says on the matter.  

My point is that doing what He says to do is just the right thing.  It's not special, it's not commendable.  It's just being obedient to Him.  Period.  

There are millions of orphans around the world just like our Vlad.  In America they live in the foster care system where they will get booted out at 18 and be completely on their own.  In other countries they live in orphanages and get booted out at various ages.  In Ukraine, it's 16; in China, 14.  No resources, no family to fall back on, no skills or education.  

Does it cost time and money to adopt?  Yes.  We truly believe, however, that if it is His Will that He will make it happen.  We do our part and He will do His.  We choose how we spend our time and our money.  Can I give up some things on my want list?  Of course.  Can I spend my time filling out paperwork instead of doing something else?  Of course.  Does that make me commendable.  No.  It is simply choosing my priorities and making Him a priority instead of something else.  

We are not doing anything that others can't do as well.  I wish that more people would.  This is Simply My Opinion!