God's Plans Are Better Than Ours

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month?

Adoption has a very significant place in the life of my family. If you know my story then you know that one of the main reasons I auditioned for The Biggest Loser was my intense desire to have another baby.

I had health problems that were made worse by my obesity and doctors told me not only was it unwise to try to conceive at my weight, but it was unlikely as well.

I sweated and slogged my way through eight months of the hardest physical and emotional work I had ever done in my life. At the finish line I knew there would be a pregnancy in my future. Well, as so often happens—God had other plans. And His plans were so much better than my own!

About a month after I returned from the show's finale, my husband and I were blessed to adopt a precious baby boy. We met him on the day he was born and brought him home when he was two days old. God's will and His timing intersected perfectly to orchestrate a miraculous story. (I share all the details in my new book Fat Chance: Losing the Weight Gaining My Worth released by GuidepostsBooks on December 1.)

So I wanted to bring some attention to National Adoption Month because I believe that however a child is welcomed into a family—whether it be through natural conception or by adoption—it's always a miracle.

National Adoption Month is actually dedicated to raising awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. I had the privilege of speaking last week to a group at the Florida Baptist Children's Home. That organization does incredible work in helping children and families.

So how does adoption translate into the topic of health and wellness and personal change, since that's what I generally write about? It doesn't specifically. But I am living proof that God does have a plan for each of our lives. And that plan includes living the life of your dreams. It's a plan that will far exceed your own. Many times we need to make painful changes in order to be ready to receive the extraordinary life that lies ahead.

Listening to others share their stories the other night, about fostering children and adoption, made me even more thankful that God has allowed our family to be blessed in this special way. As I began to learn more about National Adoption Month, I was impressed to learn that the theme for this year is “You don't have to be perfect, to be the perfect parent.”

I thought that motivational statement translated into so many areas of our lives. You don't have to be perfect in what you attempt in life as long as you try your best and live with integrity and live intentionally.

So whether your desire is to lose weight, conquer some other battle in your life, or even foster or adopt a child—just remember you don't have to be perfect to still reap the benefits of success and fulfillment in what you achieve.

I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to e-mail me at AskJulieHadden@Guideposts.com.

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Watch Julie in the New Healthy You videos!

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