Nurturing Abundance in a Small Home: Our Unexpected Blessing and Growth Story

I nearly allowed a scarcity mindset to hinder us from embracing one of the most significant blessings in our lives.

On January 29th, 2022, a phone call changed everything. Our youngest daughter's biological mother had unexpectedly given birth two months prematurely in an abandoned building. The baby, weaning off drugs, was safely left at the hospital by her biological mother. It felt like déjà vu, given our experience with babies born prematurely with neonatal abstinence syndrome and our familiarity with Foster Care and adoption.

Despite our hearts and our children unanimously saying "yes" to welcoming this baby into our home, a small part of me worried. Our already small home posed logistical challenges. Was it irresponsible to squeeze another child into its tiny footprint? She would have to share our bedroom for a few years, and I had just regained my personal space.

Gratefully, with prayer and encouragement from my husband, I dismissed those worries and replaced them with the mindset of "we'll figure it out." And figure it out we did, more or less. Our baby girl is approaching two years old, still sharing our bedroom. Plans to convert half of our garage into living space are underway, shifting rooms among our older children. It's not ideal, but I wouldn't change a thing. Imagining the void in our lives had we succumbed to scarcity thoughts is unthinkable.

Observing our two little girls playing together and witnessing the joy when our older kids come home, I am reassured that we made the right choice. We were meant to be together, all seven of us in this snug space filled with love. It's not perfect, but it is abundantly above all I could ask, think, or imagine.

If I could encourage you to trust the Lord, even in the midst of uncertainty, when it seems impractical or unclear, consider the long game. Reflect on the story you want to tell. Do you want to recount a tale of giving up, or do you want to share a story of trusting a big God who orchestrates extraordinary outcomes in our lives? I understand it's challenging in the moment. If you find yourself there now, I empathize. But try to see through the eyes of abundance, trusting that God can work in ways beyond your wildest dreams.