The Road...

The road to adoption is long and rough. It is filled with unexpected potholes. Sometimes the road to adoption may be slick, causing the traveler to have to work hard to keep calm and stay on course. Other times, the road is winding and obstructed by all sorts of obstacles that require careful maneuvering. Sometimes, the road is even closed. Sometimes it reopens and other times, that closure is permanent. At no time is the road ever easy. 

Those who decide to venture down this road must think long and hard about whether or not it is the road for them. They've heard the stories. People love to tell stories of those who have turned back or crashed on the road. They know how tough it is. Many people think about taking the road, but ultimately, they decide it is not the route for them. Then there are those who prayerfully decide to take a "Road Trip."

Only this isn't an ordinary trip....

In addition to all the obstacles and delicate situations they must maneuver through, they have one final challenge. Their Road Trip will be broadcast much like a reality TV show and the audience can make comments in real time. The drivers are blasted with well-meaning "advice" during the most trying obstacles. They can try to tune it out, but the radio is stuck in the "on" position. The most they can do is change the channel and hope for the best. The audience doesn't have a better vantage point. In fact, they are only able to see a small bit of the road, yet, their human nature gets the better of them and they think they know The Road better than the drivers. This is anything but a morale boost. It's usually at times like these that the people on The Road, stop to recharge, regroup and refocus. The Road has taken its toll. Where the drivers may have thought they had supportive fans, they find there is instead doubt, fear, and even wishes for failure. These are the "fans" who watch hoping to see a wreck. And so The Road becomes a very lonely, scary place surrounded by a host of onlookers. The drivers of the coups and the sedans and yes, even the minivans are tired and they are discouraged. They creep along the best they can, ever paranoid of the next turn in the road, for they cannot see what lies ahead. 

And just when it seems this is just too scary with too many unknowns.....

The ground shakes as a loud rumble is heard along the road. From out of nowhere come the relief caravans. They come from all over, driving giant vans. They plow through the obstacles without slowing down and come to the aid of the struggling drivers.
"Come on!" they say, "Follow us, we know the way!"
They help the wearied drivers get their cars moving again, and place them in the center of the convoy, the most protected spot. And just as quickly as they appeared, they are off again. The front-runners navigating the trail and passing radio instructions to the smaller vehicles, "This part is tricky, watch how I do it. But don't be scared, you'll make it through." 

The big vans in the back know this road well. They keep those who are struggling from being left behind. They continually patch-up and fix whatever parts break down. They have a seemingly unlimited supply of parts and technical know how. 

Slowly, but surely, the new drivers make their way down The Road. Sometimes needing assistance from the drivers in the rear, and sometimes racing to catch up with the big vans in the front. The finish line must be coming up soon....no...that was just a little smooth spot in the road. More maneuvering. More help from the vans in the rear.

And then.....

One day it's there! The finish line is there! The new drivers rush to it, unable to believe they have finally made it. There are cheers from all over the world. The drivers of the big, fast-moving vans welcome the new drivers to the noble ranks of those who have stayed the course and completed "The Road." The big vans from the rear wave goodbye as they head back to the beginning to help another batch of new drivers who are in over their heads. 

And it's then that the new travelers of The Road see for themselves what awaits at the end of this long, tiring journey. It is worth every hardship. It is worth every jeer from the crowd. And from that moment on, they are changed. They can never look at The Road or those who are traveling it the same way again. They feel compelled to help.

And so....

They go back to the beginning. Only now, they have big vans of their own. They spot more little vehicles being patched up, some stuck along The Road.  Some decide to charge back down The Road full speed ahead with their new, powerful wheels, while others choose to become the rear support. And off they go again, to help the new drivers. And this time, the naysayers' scoffs fall on deaf ears. The big white vans come with signal jamming technology. For now they have seen the end of The Road and nothing can ever change that. No amount of scoffing or judgement could make them regret the journey or the prize. They are now the veterans of The Road.