Adoption of the Heart

During the years of having children, several came and went through our home. I love children and loved everything about being a mom. One young lady came into our lives in a way I can only describe as “a God thing.” The circumstances are unimportant to the story, but what is important is the lesson of adoption God taught me about His kingdom.

Questions? Adoption? Are you sure?

We appeared before a judge to ask for the privilege of taking this young woman into our home. She was sixteen at the time. Not exactly the ideal age to try to weave a life into the fabric of an established family. She came with her own personal heartaches, disappointments, and a history with her biological family.

Are you Sure?

The judge asked us “Are you sure you want to do this?” To which we replied, “Yes!” for much thought, prayer, and counsel had gone into the decision. He then turned to our beautiful new “daughter” and asked her the same question. Her answer was not as certain as ours. She was venturing into the unknown. Could she meet our expectations? Would she be allowed to “be herself”? She had more questions than answers and all she really knew was she did not like where she was and she wanted out. She would take the risk. What did she have to lose?

New Beginnings–New Choices

The very next day was her seventeenth birthday. Her new beginning and her old life just one day apart on the calendar every year. To this day, I celebrate both and she knows it! When we got home the officer and gentleman and I sat down and told her this: “You have a clean slate. Nothing that has happened in the past will influence our discipline of you in the future. Your choices from this day forward stand alone. For good or bad, each decision is yours alone and you alone will reap the consequences of those choices.” We meant it and we honored this.

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Poor choices limit future opportunities

Wise choices opens door for success

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Yes, she made choices we did not like. Yes, she suffered consequences for poor choices and enjoyed the fruits of her wise choices. She was loved by us as if I had given birth to her; she was allowed to be her own person. This beauty  was funny, flighty, frivolous, friendly, and fiercely loyal.. She was loud, laughs hard, cries even harder, and loves music, people, and a Beagle. Her presence was beautiful, bright, and bold. She was difficult, delightfully fun, and determined. At times she was moody, melancholy, and mature beyond her years in things I wish she had not been. She changed the atmosphere of our once quiet home into a three ring circus full of noise, people, and antics. It was a change we needed and did not know it.

Adoption / Freedom

What I believe she found was a place of safety to explore life, be her unique self, and to breath freely. She found she had no reason to fear abuse, neglect, or rejection.  Her last name did not change when she came to us. She chose to retain her name, her heritage, and her individuality. She found refuge and a place to grow strong but never fully became a part of us. Our traditions, our culture, our faith, our signature as a family never really became hers. She was not interested in this. To be frank, this broke my mama heart.

Spiritual Lesson Heavenly Adoption

Here is where my spiritual object lesson began. Our daughter was and is adopted.  She IS a part of us because she said yes that day to the judge. She is a full fledged member of our household.  ALL the rights, privileges, heritage, and future estate whether or not she chooses to enjoy them now or in the future belong to her.

Romans 8:14-17a “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”

My Adoption in God’s Family

One day after a long distance conversation with my beautiful girl, I read these words in Scripture. My knees became weak and my heart sank as I realized, like this daughter of mine who I love with a passion as great as the passion I feel for my naturally born son and daughter, I had NEVER fully accepted my place in God’s family. I am now intentionally learning of my Father’s family, His heritage, His customs, His plans for the family, the estate of which I am an heir. Taking the roof of salvation over my head, and accepting the Brother who asked His Father to adopt me and share His wealth, I greedily took all the good from His hand while spurning that which did not  looked so good. I had not recognized I am a princess in His kingdom.

Quest to Know My Adopted Heritage

Since this encounter with the Father, I have been on quest to learn of my Father’s house. I want to know about my new family, the Jewish nation, the culture with its feasts, celebrations, and traditions, the worship of this family and its future. I want to know what I am an heir of–what is it that is being given to me without my doing anything.  One very vital fact I learned is as an adopted member of this family, I can NEVER be disowned!!! A legitimate heir can be, but because I was adopted into the family, I can not for I was once lost (illegitimate or orphaned or previously disowned) but I was found and given a new name. Can you imagine the security this offers to the adopted child I am???? (Luke 15:24)

Jesus paid the price for my adoption

Jesus, my Brother, paid a high price for me. He gave His life to cancel my debts, seek my redemption before His Father, and divide His personal wealth with me. Jesus asked only one thing in return, bring other lost children to Him so He could provide the same for them. What a benevolent Brother!

Easter story – The Gift of Redemption

This Easter season, I remember my Savior’s gift and all it cost Him. It required His life’s blood to be fully poured out as a sacrifice before the world and His Father. He choose to redeem mankind for His Father. We are all His prodigals. We want the wealth without the responsibility of family membership. How selfish, short sighted, and stupid. The family has much to offer with its customs, culture, and camaraderie. By learning all I can, I come to know this Brother of mine more intimately and my love and appreciation grows beyond my wildest expectations. It has been said, “Expectations destroy relationships,” and this is so very true but the Father’s expectations of all we can be far exceeds our own. He is a GOOD, GOOD Father!!!

Eternity Guaranteed by Adoption

Eternity is guaranteed to those who love the Son. I never knew I could be so secure.

The rest of Romans 8:17 says: “if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Verse 18 explains this: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” This world will have tribulation, trials, and tragedy. Jesus, our Brother, suffered as we do in all ways. (Hebrews 4:15) He was revealed in glory that Easter morning. This same glory is awaiting us. One day, we will be revealed as Sons of God to all creation. (Vs 19) I am learning not to spurn what appears not good. While the crucifixion did not appear “good”, Easter morning proved this assumption wrong! Jesus overcame death, the grave, and hell for us! God has not yet revealed to us all He has for us. Our heritage is in the estate of the King with all its rights, responsibilities, and privileges. This alone demands our allegiance. This requires only our trust. Will you trust Jesus as He presents you to His Father?

Come, You Are Welcome Here

When she was presented to us as a new daughter, our adopted beauty trusted our biological beauty. I am so glad she said, “Yes,” as her new earthly father, whose name means king, said “Come, you are welcome here, now and always.”

Scriptures for reference:

Psalm 50:6, Isaiah 33:22, II Timothy 4:8
Psalm 103:12, Hebrews 8;12
Revelation 2:17, Isaiah 56:5, 62:2
Galatians 3:26

 

When Love Takes You In by Steven Curtis Chapman, YouTube

For Further reading:

Looking back seeing the future

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2017/12/18/3770/

” A Godly Heritage “

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2018/08/17/a-godly-heritage-2/