Adoption is a beautiful decision that should always be celebrated‚ but especially in November‚ during National Adoption Month. From the first time I unexpectedly saw that positive pregnancy test‚ I knew that I was destined to become a birth mom and give another woman the chance to experience the beauty of motherhood. Growing up in my Christian household‚ adoption was always discussed and viewed as a gift‚ and without the shame or secrecy that is‚ sadly‚ often associated with it. Having known many people who adopted‚ we never questioned or judged how families came to be‚ but rather cherished the light they brought to our corner of Minnesota.    Knowing that I wanted my child to grow up in a loving family‚ I found New Life Adoption and made an appointment when I was three months pregnant.    I was assigned a personal social worker who interviewed me about what I was looking for in a family: What kind of life did I want my child to be brought into? Did I want there to be a faith foundation? What kind of schooling would she have? Would she be raised in an athletic family?   After my interview‚ I was handed a stack of books‚ filled with details and pictures of families that matched what I wanted. Looking down at the stack‚ the maroon book on top seemed to instantly call to me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it‚ but something was telling me this was the family meant to raise my child.    Wanting to give the others a fair chance‚ I put the maroon book on the bottom of the stack and continued my search. I gave the stack to my parents‚ family‚ friends‚ and co-workers. All of them independently chose the same maroon book from the pile.    Unable to ignore the signs pointing toward this family‚ I set up an interview to meet with them. After getting to know them and learning that the son they already had was adopted as well‚ I knew in my heart that my baby belonged with them.     As the months passed and my womb grew‚ I began spending more time with the family. We would meet for dinners and doctors’ appointments‚ and I made sure to involve them in every step of the process‚ including the naming of our baby girl. Sitting down and seeing that we had come up with similar names‚ and spontaneously agreeing on “Avery‚” I was again assured that this was the right family.    As I met their relatives‚ and they met my uncles‚ aunts‚ and sisters‚ we never felt like strangers‚ but instead like extended family.    Going into labor‚ I was relieved knowing that I was bringing a child into the world with an entire family full of love and support waiting to welcome her with open arms.    I wanted Avery’s parents to experience each part of the birth‚ and so I opted to have two hospital rooms. When it came time to have Avery‚ her new mom was in the room‚ as well as my own mother and best friend.    Once Avery’s sweet cries blessed our ears‚ I didn’t want to risk changing my mind and urged the nurses to place her in a crib. As Avery took her first breath‚ I told the woman next to me to go see her baby‚ as she was now a mom to a beautiful healthy girl. Avery’s family was able to spend the night holding her‚ just as any other newborn parents would have the opportunity to do.    Now‚ 11 years later‚ Avery has grown‚ and she reflects my personal creativity and zeal for life. She is being raised in a strong family of faith‚ full of patience and care‚ all while knowing who I am and the immense love that I have for her. I remain close with her family‚ and see them for holidays‚ birthdays‚ and random lunches‚ as they live just 40 minutes away.    I am grateful that in my family we do not treat adoption as a word that must be whispered‚ but celebrate it as a chance for new life‚ happiness‚ and unconditional love. Having control over the birth and getting to choose the family who would raise my child gave me an immense sense of peace and empowerment‚ as well as the confidence and certainty that my child has the best life possible.    The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Sharing the Selfless Blessing of Life and Motherhood During National Adoption Month appeared first on The Daily Signal.

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Are tattoos sinful? Christian author and podcast host Jefferson Bethke takes a look at this controversial topic from a Biblical standpoint. And this is one powerful discussion! Tattoos in society have become much more mainstream in the last several years. It's reached the point where nearly everyone you encounter has some form of tattooing. RELATED: Joyce Meyer Talks About Holiness And Tattoos In The Body Of Christ Now‚ some Christians believe that having the body inked up with tattoos is wrong and sinful. However‚ others take a wholly different view‚ believing nothing is wrong with them. Are Tattoos Sinful? Jefferson Bethke tackles this somewhat controversial topic by first admitting that he's firmly on the side and of the belief that tattoos are not sinful. He has two tattoos and raises his arms to display the tattoos on his wrists. He then mentions the verse in Leviticus that those against tattoos always bring up. "You may not make cuts in your flesh in respect for the dead‚ or have marks printed on your bodies. I am the Lord." – Leviticus 19:28 However‚ he claims that people bring that verse up out of context. He states that the verse is among other commands from the Lord to the Israelites on how to live‚ carry and protect themselves at that time. RELATED: How Jay Allen‚ Country Singer‚ Met An ‘Actual Angel' Thanks To His ‘Tattoos In Heaven' Song A few verses before God's mention of tattoos and markings on the body come directives from Him about how and when to eat fruit and meat. "If you're the person quoting to me that I can't get tattoos‚ then you‚ hopefully‚ also are the person not eating any fruit or vegetables that has not been cultivated for at least three years‚ and on top of that‚ you don't eat any meat‚" he said. In the end‚ Jefferson states that it all boils down to giving glory to the Lord. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Christian Celebrity Shares The Godly Truth About Bikinis And It's Powerful "So‚ I say‚ can we turn this issue to the heart? Can we understand in context what those verses mean? And can we say that it's all about giving glory to God‚ whether that's in art‚ whether that's in tattoos‚ whether that's in piano‚ music‚ politics? It's all about using whatever we have to point to Him." Revelation 19:16 "And on his robe and on his leg is a name‚ ‘KING OF KINGS‚ AND LORD OF LORDS.'" WATCH: Jeff Bethke Answers The Question‚ ‘Are Tattoos Sinful?’ LISTEN: Amy Grant Talks Her Christian Faith | Family Blesses Dad By Flying In All Of His Siblings For Birthday h/t: Godtube Featured Image Credit: Godtube The post Jefferson Bethke Uses a Biblical Perspective to Tackle the Question‚ ‘Are Tattoos Sinful?’ appeared first on GodUpdates.