The wonder of "Why?"...

            So, our little 8 year old has been asking us about her adoption. "Why did you pick me?" It has been 2 1/2 years since we flew to the other side of the world to bring her and her older brother home. At first I was a little taken aback by her question, "Why did you pick me?" How do you explain the convergence of mighty providence and weak faith that brought about such a magnificent change in their lives?

            "We didn't pick you, God planned it and picked you for us." I tried.

            A couple days later she tried it on my wife, "Why did you pick us?" My wife gave the only answer we know "We didn't, God did."

            Again last night she asked, "Why did you pick me?" 

            I tried the same answer but she interrupted this time "No, WHY did you pick me from all the kids in Kichiry? WHY did you pick me?" 

            I tried again "We didn't pick you, God..."

            "No, Daddy, WHY did you pick me?"

            A light bulb clicked on and I finally understood the question. She didn't want to know which of her attributes we based our selection on. She knows it wasn't her pretty eyes, or her mischievous smile, or her skinny chicken legs. She was looking for the purpose behind her adoption. She really wanted to know the answer to "WHY did you pick me?"

            There is a lot of gospel hidden in her two simple questions. Maybe I spend too much time self-absorbed and pondering the unanswerable question of why God picked me. Maybe I should spend more time searching out WHY God picked me.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11