InshaAllah

When Taher and I were in Egypt two years ago, I received my first lesson in the Arabic language. I love languages, and would love to speak Arabic fluently someday (along with about 10 other languages) so when people spoke, I listened carefully.

Taher and I visited many of his family members that live in Cairo, and the conversations were held mainly in Arabic. I would sit and listen intently to the conversations being had, and there was one phrase I heard A LOT. Everytime someone would say something they would preface it with InshaAllah. Or when they were done saying something, they would say repeatedly, InshaAllah, InshaAllah. And everytime we would leave, I would say in english, "I hope to see you soon." And again, his relatives would say back to me in Arabic, InshaAllah. Just yesterday, I told Taher's aunt that we would like to have her over for dinner soon, and again, her response was InshaAllah.

My inquisitive mind asked Taher what exactly InshaAllah meant, and he explained to me that the translation means God Willing. (If Allah wills it) He said that in the Islam faith, there is an understanding that our lives are not our own, and nothing can be done if God is not willing. God has a plan for all of our lives and if something is in God's plan, than it will happen. I was raised in a Christian household, and Christianity also has the same understanding. Our lives are NOT our own. We are not in control of most things. It doesn't matter if you pray to Allah, Budda, or Jesus. The phrase InshaAllah fits perfectly, and quickly became a phrase that I use often in my life.

InshaAllah has pretty much become my mantra when speaking about our adoption plans.

I get asked. . . "You are going to adopt a child?" InshaAllah.

"How long will it take?" Hopefully not long, InshaAllah.

"Are you adopting a healthy child? InshaAllah.

Taher and I are working very hard on the aspects of this process we can control. When paperwork comes in, we fill it out quickly and accurately and send it back to the agency. We go to medical appointments for physicals, we go to the police station for fingerprinting.

But at the same time, I have this spiritual aspect of life that things will work out exactly how they're supposed to. If Taher and I are meant to be parents to an adoptive child, than God willing, that is what we'll be. If for some reason something happens that delays or prevents us from being adoptive parents, than I also need to trust that that is the master planning. In my journey of life, I've learned some brutal lessons. I've learned there are things I can control, but for the most part, I don't have control over a lot of life. I hope, I PRAY this adoption goes smoothly. I hope that all the work will pay off, and in the end, we will have a child. But I never want to be over confident. I always want to have faith that things will work out the way they are supposed to.

Taher and I will adopt a child. . . InshaAllah.