Each time I testify at a finalization hearing, the legal process before a judge that concludes a family's long adoption journey, I cry. At the hearing, the judge ensures that all legal requirements have been met and that the adoption is in the best interests of the child, a Decree of Adoption is signed, and a new birth certificate is issued with the adoptive couple listed as a the child's parents.
And then it's done. A child forever has a new name. A home. A destiny. I cry because something so much bigger than a court hearing is happening Something happens in the heavens. Something that's eternal. There is nothing that mirrors the gospel here on earth better than adoption.
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| This is the beautiful Parsons family who are living out the gospel... |
Adoption is costly
This sweet little guy was left alone in a
hospital NICU. His birth mother was not in a season to parent and didn't even
know she was pregnant when she went into labor 11 weeks early. So this tiny
baby, born weighing less than three pounds needed a family.
The Parsons know about cost. When I
called about this little one and outlined his significant medical needs, they
knew they were stepping into a situation full of unknowns. They were not only
stepping into financial burdens, but long-lasting medical issues, the
complexities that go into a having a multi-racial family, and multiple
unknowns. But within hours they knew this little one was their son and they
named him Zion, without even meeting him yet.
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have firstfruits
of the Spirit, groan
inwardly as we wait eagerly for the adoption as sons, the redemption of
our bodies. (Romans 8:23)
We're all born orphaned. This groaning
Paul was talking about is the inward cry of every soul to be loved and cared
for. To be seen and heard.
When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born
of woman, born under the law, to redeem those
who were under the law, so
that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)
Many believers miss this. Our adoption is
founded on the work of Christ on the cross. Our adoption was costly We
have been saved from being left alone in this world as spiritual orphans.
Adoption, in it's purest form, is never
"plan B"
The most amazing couples I've met have
said "Yes" to adoption in the most non-traditional forms. They've
said yes to babies who don't match their family portrait, yes to adoption
before they had a "no" to having biological kids, and yes when their
dining room and van were already full. The Parsons said yes to a little boy
they weren't even sure would live past the first few weeks of life.
Because these families understand that
"perfect" on our terms was never God's plan. Sometimes we think that
God wanted a perfect world full of perfect people who could perfectly obey. But
God had a much grander plan of creation and rescue and redemption.
He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy ad 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, with which he has
blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:4-6)
The American Dream should never be our
hope. The big house, big boat, and 2.5 kids behind the white picket fence is
not where peace and contentment really lie. Families who choose adoption are
never compromising by giving those things up. They are entering into God's
rescue and redemption plan in
their living rooms.
Adoption means sonship and inheritance
Once an adoption is final, a child gets a
new name. The adoption is legally binding. And the one adopted obtains
all the rights and privileges as any biological son or daughter
would.
Because you are sons, God has send the Spirit of his Son into our
hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave,
but a son, and if a son, than an heir through God. (Galations
4:6-7)
The Spirit himself bears witness with out spirit that we are
children of God, and if childnre, than heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs
with Christ, provided
we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
(Romans 8:16-17)
At our adoption, we are given a new life;
a new family and an entire kingdom to inherit. Our identity and inheritance are now through Christ.
At each of these finalization hearings there is almost always a collective sigh of relief. There is completion. There is finalization. There is fulfillment of hope.
Adoption is sacrifice. Adoption is messy. Adoption is beautiful. Adoption is what we were created for.
Adoption is the gospel. May it be on earth as it is in Heaven.
Watch Zion's adoption day and see your adoption in a new light...
Someday my children are going to tell stories making fun of their mother who would sit at the computer and read stories about the goodness of the Lord and cry. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm going to blame you. :)