Last week I had one of the more emotional moments of life! You see, a couple in our small group has been walking an extremely long road for years and they finally crossed the first of two finish lines (I’ll explain that in a minute). This is not the place to go into detail so I will give you a view from 10,000 feet. Big picture, with some detail.
MANY years ago, this couple began fostering a little girl and began down the road toward adoption. About a year later, this little girl’s sister also became a foster child of this couple and they started down the adoption road with this second child also. For years, this process has been going on. The couple has ridden an emotional roller coaster which has been unbelievable. Our small group has been supporting them through prayer and emotional support since they joined our group.
Last week, the older of the two girls was finally adopted. Joanna and I, with another gal from our group, were privileged to be there for the ceremony. It was the first (because I intend to attend the second girl’s adoption ceremony) that I’ve been privileged to attend. The joy that filled that room was so intense that it could only fully be expressed through tears as that little girl got her “forever family.”
My eyes were very watery… even now as I write and reflect… through that entire ceremony. I want to focus my thoughts on just the last few minutes though.
As the Judge read the adoption decree into the record, these words struck me with full intensity:
The Court hereby decrees that the said shall be in law the adopted child of [father] and his wife, [mother]
and shall have all the rights of a child and heir of said petitioners, and be subject to the duties of such child,
and is hereinafter named and known as [new legal name of child].
When the Judge finished saying this, the handful of us who were witnessing the ceremony could no longer contain our joy, and we let out a small and controlled cheer. Within the moment, my mind began to process what just happened, but also, how this illustrated something that takes place on a whole different level… on the spiritual level.
Paul wrote these words a couple thousand years ago, “His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.” Romans 8:17 (NIV).
When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, God adopts us. As the Judge read that adoption decree, it struck me: God adopted me. I’ve always know that, but gained a new appreciation for it that day. There was a formal declaration in heaven that I was His child the day I accepted Him as my Lord.
When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become an heir of God – a joint heir with Christ. We have all the rights and privileges of a full child of God. Jesus, gladly recognizes us, and loves us, as a true sibling! Hebrews 2:11 says, “So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”
When we let out our our controlled cheer, I also had another image fly through my mind. Just as we cheered at the moment the declaration was made, the angels and other inhabitants of heaven cheer when we make our spiritual choice to follow God!
When God adopts us… we become a part of His ‘forever family.’
After all these years of being a Christian, the adoption aspect is still a wonder to me. Thanks for sharing that experience and I look forward to hearing part 2 when the second adoption will take place.