Adoptive parents are a nervous bunch (and here I'm speaking for myself). A to-be parent plus complex and seemingly irrational international bureaucracies plus long stretches of silence plus media reports of everything-that-can-go-wrong plus the internet equals a rumor mill potent enough to keep any birther conspiracist busy.
The internet has been a wonderful tool on this adoption journey, allowing us to research and to connect with others, but it also has its dangers. Just this Thursday (Gethsemane Thursday) a passing comment on a blog in combination with an email sent my heart racing about the status of adoption in Lesotho.
My inherent cynicism plus my brief stint in journalism school served me well (back in the day journalists were taught they must have two credible and verifiable sources before reporting a story). A quick response from Cheryl (recently returned from Lesotho) and an email from a missionary in an orphanage in Lesotho proved the rumor to be nothing more than a rumor and gave my husband yet another opportunity to tell me to chill out.
I admit I admire Thomas, the doubting disciple. When everyone was rushing in with their rumors of empty tombs and chance meetings on the road, Thomas wanted the verifiable source - "First I gotta see the nail marks." He didn't get worked up or freaked out about the rumors, but when presented with the facts he believed.
The Easter story demands faith, but, as shown by writers such as McDowell (More Than a Carpenter) and Strobel (The Case for Christ) it also stands up under credible and verifiable research. Rumors may fly, but Truth is Risen!
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
No comments:
Post a Comment