'Upheld to Uphold'?

'Upheld to Uphold'.

These words may not mean much to anyone else, but they do to me.

I will try to explain myself.

'Uphold' isn't a very commonly used word in modern-day English, in fact, we rarely ever hear it used outside of legal context in this day and age. 'Uphold' and 'upheld' are often legal words because they are words pertaining to justice.

The only other constant contact I have with this word tends to be in the Bible, and the book of Psalms is where I find this word most often. Through the Psalms I find comfort in knowing the Lord upholds me: "As for me, you will uphold my just cause, and you will cause me to stand in your presence forever" Psalm 41:12; "Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope" Psalm 119:116; "Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:12.

Of course, in Psalms we also find this verse: "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed" Psalm 82:3. This verse is very important to Orphan Advocates, like me.

According to the dictionary, to uphold means "to support or defend; to take care of."

Meanwhile, upheld means "a decision that was confirmed or supported", according to the dictionary.

So what does all this mean to me? Why on earth did I choose to use this odd, repetitive phrase to name my adoption blog?

Based on the definitions above, I translate 'Upheld to Uphold' as this: "Our decision to adopt was confirmed and supported by God so that we could support, defend and take care of an orphan."

Our decision has been upheld and upon upholding this child, they will no longer be an orphan; this child will have a mother and a father - a family. Once the acts of supporting, defending and taking care of, (the acts that make up 'uphold'), are accomplished, the child who was once called 'fatherless' will be called 'son' or 'daughter'.

'Upheld to Uphold' is just a name, of course. You don't have to like it. You may still not fully understand it. Continue to read on anyway - this blog is more than the name.