SPECIAL GIFT

The whole process of becoming licensed to adopt children illumines the reality of spiritual adoption. The truth of knowing that as believers we are adopted into God's family, His church, somehow resinates within the heart with every believer. However, as with anything else, when a truth can be fully experienced in this life, those who have direct involvement in the process, the spiritual idea, thought, or reality becomes more vivid and a greater and deeper appreciation or gratitude fills the soul. I cannot understand a background of abuse, placing me in ignorance and blindness to some extent to the full meaning of some passages that deal with God's love for those in such circumstances. But then, there are those who have not walked in my shoes and may not share the truths in the same way I appreciate them. Thus, spiritual adoption over the last several months hits home a bit closer to the heart after walking down this path to understanding the backgrounds and the history of the kind of children perhaps joining our family within the next several weeks.

These children experience the darkest side of life imaginable; children not given the chance for a normal life from the day they arrive into this cold world; children who experience neglect of needs, or a parent leaving them on the step of some church building; children living through physical abuse due to alcohol or drugs, only to be taken by strangers from their home and all they have known and placed within a strange environment, all within a couple hour period with the possibility of never returning; children struggling with continuing to love their parents, yet knowing the safety issues of staying; children enduring the consequences of others behaviors, especially by those who are supposed to look out for their interests. Need I continue? These children then are placed in homes, most of which desire to offer a loving, safe, and welcoming HOME to them. If adoption for them is an option, these children are taken from such darkness into a new home that gives them a new name, a new life, a new family, a new inheritance, new experiences, and new blessings with opportunities for a better life. Love, joy, peace, happiness, safety, and security may be new, but over time will cause growth. These children must learn to accept what is given to them and to make the most of the new life in which they have been placed. Some will accept wholeheartedly and produce great fruit as they mature. It may not be so easy for others who think they do not deserve what has been offered, taking more time for the reality of a new life to sink into their being. And then others continue to be adamant about returning to what they know, what is comfortable, the old life where abuse, neglect, and hardship await. Appreciation for a new start and deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by a loving family are never considered.

Spiritual adoption is not much different from this earthly example. Just like a child who is chosen and placed in a new home by someone else somewhat coincides with God choosing us, removing us from our dark world of sin where there is abuse and hardship. We may not know any better or any other life and for us this darkness is normal. Each person's darkness varies, but God takes us out of that world and places us into His family; God, who is still somewhat of a stranger to us at the beginning. Our new environment may not be comfortable at first, or the excitement of all the newness lasts a while but may ware off after time and the reality of what is expected begins to sink in and causes us to wiggle a bit. Over time we learn what our new Father expects, the rules of living in His family, who He is as our Father, and all that encompasses His household. Some grasp onto this new life with enthusiasm and gratitude and flourish under His care. Others struggle with accepting all the goodness, love, and blessings bestowed upon them, not for any other reason except they are now a part of God's family and being given this new life freely, something they may not feel is deserved. And then there are those children who just cannot bring themselves to accept their new life and end up back in the world of darkness. Yes, their adoption is still legal, once a person steps into the family of God, they are forever a part of that family as are adoptive children in this earthly life, unless legal action is taken to break the agreement. It does not matter where that child is, what kind of life they live, unless the bond is legally broken, they forever remain tied to their new family. They may never again experience the blessings, the joy, the love, the safety, and the opportunities freely given to them causing them to live a life of turmoil and hardship, but they will carry on their new family name as an adoptive child.

Whatever the situation, each adoptive child experiences the blessings of their adoption at some point. Their new life contrasts with their old, and the free gift given to them can be experienced and lived out in a way that no other human being who has not walked in these shoes can do so. Each one of us has our own story, illuminating different realities of God's truths and experiences within His family uncomparable to anyone else around us. It is the joy of hearing, learning, and seeing how each one appreciates these truths and appreciates who our heavenly Father is, that causes us to grow in one family, share in the excitement experienced by our spiritual brothers and sisters, and causes us to grow closer, sharing our lives with one another. How does your adoption into God's family cause you to appreciate and experience gratitude beyond description for His free gift and many blessings that accompany this gift, which required great sacrifice from our Father?