As
I kneeled weeping before the Lord because of messing something up that has
caused unnecessary stress to others, I was throwing a grand ‘woe is me’ party
for all the many things I’ve messed up over the years that hurt others,
thinking, “Why, oh Lord, do you love me?” It was then He helped me understand
(with awe) His great love for me by using my own history.
My
husband and I could not biologically have a child unless by miracle or
adoption. How adoption works is that once you are approved as acceptable
parents to an agency, then you wait for children to come available. Once a specific
child is ‘shown’ to you, then all their known history is given to you so
that (after studying the potential repercussions of their various issues) you
can make an informed decision of whether they will be a good fit to your
family. For instance, a child might need a rigid schedule that you cannot
provide. (Lk. 14:28- count the cost)
My
husband and I turned down a few prospects because of needs we were unable to
accommodate. (Once we were even asked to consider 7 siblings- all special needs
kids!) Of course, there will always be unknowns as in childbirth. What happens
from that acceptance is a getting to know you phase which length of time
probably increases with the child’s age. As an older (mentally capable) child,
the judge who approves the adoption will ask the child if he wants to be
adopted by these people.
So
now I’ll put this all together. I was that older child the day I repented and stood
before the Lord. He, who knows ALL, which means all my life from birth to death
including: all the good, all the people I’d hurt, the damage I’d do, my many
mistakes and sins, my unfaithfulness, hatred, anger even against Him, (basically
all the bad) He knew it all and He still said, “Yes!” to the adoption*. Because
of His great love for me, He said, “Yes!”
See what kind of love
the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God… 1Jh. 3:1
And the Father says, “Yes!” to all who would
turn to Him:
But to all who did
receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of
God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will
of man, but of God. Jh. 1:12,13 ESV
*Adoption
But when the fullness of the time came, God
sent forth His Son, coming into being out of a woman, having come under Law, that
He might redeem those under Law, so that we might receive the adoption of sons.
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Gl. 4-6
For you have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we
cry, Abba, Father! Rm. 8:15
