CALLED TO ADOPTION

My lovely wife, Kristin, and I have been married for almost 11 years. Even before our wedding day, we had occasional discussions about children, and the topic of adoption would come up. At the time, we were still teenagers, approaching our twenties, but for some reason we both felt God had spoken to us to be open to the idea of adoption. Even though we were young and had plenty of time to conceive children, we both felt strongly about adopting. So much that we began to prepare for it from day one of our marriage.

Conventional wisdom told us that we would have to wait a while to adopt. There are certain age restrictions, the process is grueling, and of course there is that one thing needed...money! So we enjoyed the first five years of our marriage, and received the occasional, "So, when are you guys going to have a baby?" It was a fair question to a married couple in our position. As we approached our mid-twenties, we knew the time was coming. But, we really felt like we needed to adopt sooner, than later. Ever since giving my life completely to God, I have felt a sense of urgency in everything that relates to souls. Adoption was going to be no different. I feel that adoption is the potential saving of a soul, just like God adopting us into his family is the saving of a soul.

Galatians 4:4-7
4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive adoption as sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Adoption is a beautiful thing that is exemplified by our Father adopting us into his family. Not only does He have unconditional love for us to bring us into his family, He then makes us an heir to rule with Him. He has called us to show this same love. Kristin and I felt called to show this unconditional love to a child in need of a home and parents who could provide for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, just as Jesus did when he came to earth to fulfill the mission of adopting us into his family.

Please check back for the next installment in our road to adoption.