We try desperately to stay away from the news. Despite our efforts however, it creeps into our lives. Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s introduction of her family recently did just that. The media pointed out that Judge Barrett spoke about her biological children in a way that celebrated their accomplishments and potential. But, when introducing her two boys who were adopted from Haiti, she spoke about how their lives were so much better now. We could debate this issue all day long, but I will not. Judge Barrett proudly introduced her family. She and her husband had gone through the tiring and draining processes of adopting those boys. They know the joy and heartache of adoption, as does every parent who has ever adopted a child.

The joy of course is in being able to call them your own. The privilege to provide for them in a way that they have never known is joyous. It must be incredible to provide for children (both materially and emotionally) in a way that they have never experienced or even dreamed. There is also joy in watching them flourish and become stronger, more capable individuals. And there is joy in protecting them.

But adoption is also accompanied by great heartache. There is heartache in watching children try to overcome their fear of abandonment. There is heartache when you watch them relive the things that we cannot even comprehend. And then, there is the heartache of the adoption that doesn’t go through. The loss and mourning for that child that you hungered for and loved so deeply, yet never got to hold must be almost unbearable.

Adoptive parents eagerly await their adoptive children to see them for the very first time. They eagerly await for those children to recognize the magnitude of their love for them and that they want them to be members of their family. They long and wait for them to run into their waiting arms. When it happens, there is great joy! And when it doesn’t, there is great heartache. Hence, the joy and heartache of adoption.

Our family has never personally attempted to adopt. It was not for a lack of desire, there was just never a clear leading from the Lord. But people like the Barrett’s have and they know firsthand the joy and heartache of adoption.

Someone else who knows the joy and heartache of adoption is our Heavenly Father.

Just like adoptive parents, God waits for His adopted children to see him for the very first time. He eagerly waits for His children to recognize the magnitude of His love for them and that He wants them to be members of His family. And He longs and waits for them to run into His waiting arms. When it happens, there is great joy! And when it doesn’t, there is great heartache.

He knows better than anyone the joy and heartache of adoption.

God doesn’t adopt His children the way the world adopts a cat though. He doesn’t look down and say, “Oh, that one is pretty. I’ll adopt that one.” Nor does he say, “Oh, that one looks like the runt. I’ll adopt that one.” God loves each and every one of us so much that He wants to adopt us all! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.

And God waits patiently for that adoption. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

God longs for His adopted children to see him for the very first time. And He longs for us to recognize the magnitude of His love and that He wants to adopt us into His family.

When we recognize the magnitude of our sin, compare it to the magnitude of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice, and repent, we see God (spiritually) for the very first time. And God longs for that.

“Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”. Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:8-9.

We run into His waiting arms when we repent and ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives. That is when God finally gets to adopt us!

And Jesus has gone to prepare our room in the palace of the King of Kings. “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:2-3.

Once we arrive, God will wipe away the tears of this life and protect us for all of eternity! “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4.

Sadly, not every encounter results in adoption. This is not because God rejects us, but because some of us will reject Him. Some of us will choose to go through this life as spiritual orphans. And worse, we will die eternally, never having known the love of our Heavenly Father.

God loves us all and eagerly awaits “adoption day”. But, to be adopted, we have to seek God. We have to look for Him and desire Him with all of our hearts. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:1.

Right now, God is waiting for someone to run into His waiting arms. He wants an adoption to go through right this moment! If that is you, please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. Pray that prayer from the bottom of your heart and with all your might! The creator of all mankind wants to adopt you as His own precious child!

Once you have prayed that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you and to welcome you into the family!

Luv Ya!