Astonished by Love

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Astonished by Love - An Interview with Bill Myers by Sherrie Eldridge

Reading the bio sheet of Bill Myers is like perusing the credentials of one of the most distinguished members of Who's Who in the world of journalism and film production.

From Venezuela to the Soviet Union, Bill has participated as a writer or director and has won more than 40 national and international awards. He authored, co-created, and served as a producer for Focus on the Family's children1s book and video series McGee and Me.This has been a best-selling children1s inspirational video and book series around the world. Current books include a comedy series for Tommy Nelson Publishers titled, The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle (more than 750,000 in print).

As impressive as these accomplishments are, however, Bill considers them of little significance compared to the joy he and his wife have experienced through the adoption of their two daughters, Nicole and MacKenzie. It was a real gracious time from the Lord, Bill said.

Both daughters were received through private adoption, and even though the adoptions were closed and semi-closed, the Myers have managed to keep their focus child-centered. In the case of their older daughter, Nicole, the birth mother thought it best to break ties completely after birth. Before the bond was broken, however, her name and picture were given to the Myers to share with Nicole at the appropriate time.

In the case of their younger daughter, MacKenzie, Bill, his wife, and their older daughter had the privilege of becoming acquainted with the birth mother and birth grandmother. Bill says this was a wonderful learning time for his older daughter, Nicole, because she began to learn experientially what the words birth mother really meant. She even got to feel MacKenzie move in her birth mother1s womb.

The Myers have fostered transparency with their daughters from day one, sharing birth and adoption stories and assuring them of a reunion with their birth mothers after they reach 18 years of age, should they so desire. Bill says, We wanted to lay the groundwork so that they would realize the whole process and not be surprised by it.

When the girls were young, Bill and his wife initiated conversations about adoption. But as they grew older, they let the girls bring up the subject. He says, 3We treat it as naturally as possible. I don1t think we overdo or underdo it. It1s kind of like sharing sexuality with the child. As the need arises, the information is there.2

When asked how he would encourage hesitant or fearful prospective adoptive parents to pursue adoption, he said he would point them to the sovereignty of God. He says, It doesn1t mean there1s always a storybook ending. It means that God will use whatever happens for our good and his glory, even if in our own eyes we have failed.

In this regard, Bill is quick to add that the blessings are definitely worth the risks. He confesses, I had no idea I could love so deeply. If I were to say one thing having children has done for me, it is that it has just astonished me that I could feel such a depth of love.

Having children has also changed my theology, he adds. 3I used to think that God was kind of waiting to jump on us when we fail. Now I understand that he1s by our side, aching and weeping with us when we fail?because that1s what I do with my children. So I understand what a father is now, from a father1s perspective, which again, is astonishing?the depth of the love, the unconditional love.

Having layed the proper foundation of transparency with his children during childhood, Bill1s heart1s desire is that they will choose to commit their lives to Jesus Christ. He says, The deeper they commit their lives to Jesus Christ, the more of His life they1ll get in return. I am trying to teach, train, and explain the verse that says, Give and it will be given to you, shaken down, pressed together and running over.