The Journey

Dear Caroline,

Today was another day that you will learn about in school. Today marked the passing of Apple CEO, Steve Jobs. As I am writing these letters to you from my macbook, I can appreciate the contributions he made to the world in his lifetime. It has been said that he was the Thomas Edison on our time and truly made a huge difference in the world. But to me, the most interesting part of his story is the beginning. Romans tells us that “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” I think that the story of Steve Jobs illustrates how God’s plan comes together for his plan.

Jobs was born to an unwed mother and thankfully she did not “take care” of the problem with an abortion. She decided that the right thing to do was to put him up for adoption. She ultimately selected a lawyer and his wife to become the forever family for her son. However, when he was born the family decided that they preferred a daughter instead of a son. He was then placed with the Jobs family. It makes me smile to know that God knew what He was doing when Jobs’ biological mother got pregnant. God knew what He was doing when He created Jobs male. God knew what He was doing when he was placed with the Jobs family. God knew what He was doing the entire time! God was bigger than the situation and turned mistakes for his glory. I can only begin to imagine how different the entire world would be without God’s plan or had Jobs never found his forever family.

Two things to leave you with or what stands out to me

1.) One person really can undeniably change the world. Never think that one person cannot make a difference. Steve Jobs is the perfect example of how untrue that statement is. God had a plan for him before he was born to find his forever family and to use the gifts that his Maker had given him.

2.) Adoption is such a gift and family is really what you make of it. Jobs would have never been the same person without the shared experiences and lessons he learned from his forever family. His entire life would have been different had he been raised in a different environment. I cannot even fathom how different your life could have been and I am sure that you will think of it often. However, it was not a part of your plan to grow up in China. Your plan was with your forever family living out the fullest of your potential here.

Wish #12: I wish for you to change the world on whatever scale you choose.

Love always