I'm Adopted

A homeschool family I know recently adopted two little girls from China. I mean they're still in China, recently. You can find their blog here. The joy of the parents, the siblings, and even the families of the siblings (since there's such an age range) is incredible. I started to cry when I saw the pictures of the little girls and how much they already love their new parents and sister but also how scared and confused they are.

It made me think about a conversation I heard between a couple gentlemen from my home church. One of them adopted a baby about five months ago and the other is considering adoption.
     "Our society really looks down on adoption," said the latter. "It really stresses blood relation even if those blood relations aren't healthy." The men continued to talk about particular instances where the home situation or extended family home situation weren't safe or those family members weren't as close to the child as a foster family that loved and wanted to adopt the child. They continued to talk about why adoption's stigma is wrong.
     "I mean, God has adopted us," said the first gentleman. "We were in that bad situation and God took us out of it to His perfect family. He's made us brothers and co-heirs with Christ *[Romans 8:16-17]. That's profound. He doesn't love us less. I'm not going to love my adopted child any less because he's not biologically my kid."

That's roughly how the conversation went. I began to ponder and turn their words over in my mind. I also chewed on a comment one of the ladies in the church had made during Sunday School. We were reading in **Mark 1 when she spoke up about a verse that really touched her.
      "Untying sandals was a job for the lowliest and filthiest of servants," she began. "John's a prophet and a blood relation to Jesus, but he says he's not even worthy to undo his shoes. We put people in the Bible on a pedestal and think they're so great at obeying God, but then what does that make me? If John isn't worthy to undo sandals, where does that leave me? No where near His presence, at the very least. Instead, He bends down and washes my feet."

How is that possible, my friends? Adoption. God has removed you from your sinful situation and given you a new family. A perfect family. Brothers and sisters who have also been adopted, a Brother and friend of Jesus, and, my favorite, a Father. A perfect Father who knows your every need and holds your every tear. You give Him joy.

Seeing pictures of the Chinese little girls who are being adopted makes me think of what God has done for me. A representation of my adoption. He chose me and picked me up even when I was confused and scared. The family rejoiced when all the papers were signed and I was officially His. He loves me as His own Son.

I'm adopted.



*Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

**Mark 1:7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.