Adoption is beautiful!
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 1 John 3:1
"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace." Ephesians 1:4-6
What an honor to mirror the Father's love as we embrace new little ones into our home. Sometimes I ask myself, how did I miss this before? How did I not clearly see the beauty of adoption? For years I had children and thought adoption "was noble, but not for me". And my empathetic heart asks, how in the world could I have missed it? The answer, of course, is that God has appointed a time, a perfect, beautiful time according to His sovereign plans. There's no mistaking it now, this is His timing for our family.
When I look back on the catalysts to our adoption's beginnings I am spurred on to encourage others to simply put their eyes on adoptive families, videos readily available on the internet, sermons that sing of the heavenly Father's heart for adoption, books that inspire and educate. I look back and see how God worked in our hearts and I long to encourage as I was encouraged before.
I've noticed that if we are willing to open just the tiniest crack in the window of our heart, the Lord swoops in and reveals His heart to ours. He opens wide the doors which were closed and bit by bit, we become changed. It becomes undeniable, if we willingly take the first step of faith.
I realize that sometimes that's just too scary. What if everything changes? It might. What if I lose the life I'm used to? We will. What if I'm inadequate to take on another child? We are, but God's not. What if, what if, what if?
The answer to every what if is GOD. He is able. He is strength. He is peace. He is joy. He is LOVE and...
"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19
"If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
1 John 4:11
Once we set our eyes on the needs of the world and allow God to open our eyes to His will, we realize that we become responsible, accountable to that which we've been called as imitators of God.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." Ephesians 5:1
And Paul confirms:
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18
"Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?" Proverbs 24:11-12
I once was blind, admittedly, but now I see, thankfully. I praise God for giving me His sight and even His courage to follow Him into a new season in our lives. He makes everything beautiful in its time and He will bring to fruition His appointed time. We cannot thwart His plans.
We've been adopted by our Father God and we've been given the opportunity to extend His love as an expression of He who lives within us. What a privilege!
Adoption is many things, but mostly, adoption is about God's love. He loves us. He loves them. He loves you. He's grafted us into His family and He's asking us to express His love to others...and it feels beautiful.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time."
Ecclesiastes 3:11
"For the coastlands shall hope for me...to bring your children from afar...for the name of the Lord your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you beautiful." Isaiah 60:9
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations."
Isaiah 61:1-4
