"In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will" (Ephesians 1:5).
It was a beautiful wedding. It was a true testimony of God's love and faithfulness. We felt so blessed to be part of this beautiful couple's celebration.
However, the conversation at our table laid very heavily on my heart.
We are advocates of adoption. Despite the pain and hurt of early childhood trauma, grief and loss, adoption is a beautiful thing.
Ephesians 1:3-5 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ”.
A while ago, our pastor preached a sermon based on that verse at a couple’s baptism of their adopted son. Our pastor talked about the doctrine of adoption. He explained how being adopted as God’s children, which enable us to be close to God is as it says in verse 3, is the highest blessing. He chose us and made us righteous in His sight.
Pastor Paul mentioned the significance of adoption in the Roman times, which was the time that the apostle Paul was writing. In Roman times, a man would choose a young man to be his heir. This was done as a legal activity and was important event. The adopted son would carry the name of his adoptive family.
It was not a shameful matter, nor was it secretive.
Also, all of the debts of the adopted son would be cancelled, even thought this was nothing that he earned. Pastor Paul reminded us how this is similar to us, that God put His name on us. Furthermore, the reason why Jesus came to earth was for all who believe in Him, He chose to be His heirs! We were spiritual orphans and desperate for attachment. We have that through our spiritual adoption, because as it says in Ephesians, “in love, He adopted us as His children”.
Pastor Paul concluded his sermon with the application that through adoption, we as His children represent our Father and have an opportunity to be God-like.
The conversation at our table that troubled me so much was from a middle aged man talking about his older sister who had brown eyes and brown hair, unlike the rest of the siblings, and how they often refer to her as being adopted. It was something that they joked about and made fun of.
I wanted to tell him how we have been blessed by adoption and have a daughter whom we adopted. I wanted to tell him about the joys, and pains and hurts that comes with adoption. I wanted to tell him that it's not something to joke about, but to be grateful about. Regrettably, I didn't confront this man about this issue that is so important to me. I don't want to be overly sensitive to other people's comments, rather, I have a desire to educate and inform others of their ignorance. I'm the type of person that wants to educate others; I'm the type of person who's disciplining other people's children at the park; I'm a teacher- I can't help it.
It's my prayer that we will be our children's biggest advocates. I pray that God will grant me the wisdom to know when and what to share with others when sharing the blessings of adoption. I also pray that God will give me the same wisdom and desire to share the Good news of being adopted into Christ's family! I am so thankful for Christ's unconditional love for us and that He calls us His sons and His daughters!
Continuing to give thanks...
-being adopted into God's family
-chosen to be His daughter
-the blessings of adoption
-progress with R.A.D.
-a beautiful couple sharing their love for each other and for God
-his testimony of faith and God's never ending love
-celebrating their wedding with them
-watching him grow into such a strong, Christian man
-enjoying the movie, "the War Room" and being the only ones in the theatre!
-being so inspired by this movie and the power of prayer!
-having fun with my sister, no matter what we're doing
1 comment:
Wow, what a story. Not sure how I'd respond to that. Too bad we don't all fully grasp the beauty of adoption. I'm sure the man was innocently joking but I like how you have a passion to teach people the truth.
Love the shot of you and Lou :)
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