Christ bought our adoption as children in the family of God. That is how He welcomes us.
Why bother with adoption?
“Welcome others as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7
How exactly has Christ welcomed us? Has he smiled and waved from His perfect home never understanding our difficulty? Has He seen us lost and afraid and filthy from sin and turned his eyes away?
Or has He left His throne, stepped into His creation, healed us, restored us, and set us in a family? Has He given Himself so that we could have a home forever? Has He, the rightful heir and Son of God, given everything so that we could be joint-heirs, children of the Most High & those who can enter the throne room boldly because they are speaking with their Father (Hebrews 14:6)?
Christ welcomes us by giving Himself for the glory of God and our good. He welcomes us by laying down His life so that we can live eternally. He welcomes us by taking the wrath of God so that we can sit at His table in perfect communion and peace and feast with our Father.
Christ bought our adoption as children in the family of God. That is how He welcomes us.
So then as we look to Romans 15:7 (for a free printable of this verse, check out this post), how are we to welcome others?
My mind has been a flutter with this question for a very long time.
Welcoming others means taking strangers and making them family. Welcoming others means laying down our conveniences and our very lives for the good of another.
Adoption welcomes others.
Adoption: Behind the Scenes
My husband and I have always talked about adoption. It has been a “somewhere down the road we would love to” type of discussion but nothing concrete. A little over a year ago I began to feel like maybe our time to adopt was coming. This seemed crazy to me because I had a toddler who didn’t sleep at all (he still struggles!) and I was plain exhausted.
But for me, once I get an idea in my head, it’s hard to think of anything else. I am very convinced by my own opinions most of the time and end up making decisions quickly. In most areas my husband is a perfect counter balance to this because he is a slow mover. He likes to think through everything for a long time before he makes a decision. However, sometimes he gives in to me simply because it’s easier – anyone else like that?
When I started to get the adoption bug I knew I never wanted him to look back and question whether or not it was pressure from me that drove us to this decision. I know there will be plenty of difficult days.
Instead of talking about it, I committed to praying about it. We discussed adoption in the broad sense a few times the way we always have but never specifically. I read a few books that fueled our discussion of the concept some (check out my review here) but otherwise I was quiet. He had no idea what I was praying.
It is the responsibility of every believer to play some role in orphan care (James 1:27) but I asked God to show us whether or not He wanted us to adopt specifically. I poured out my heart and desire for adoption while asking the whole time that the Lord would keep my mouth shut.
I decided that if Bill didn’t say something concrete about adoption then I would take that to mean this was not the time.
Fast forward one year and Bill mentioned that he would like to have a third child. He wanted to adopt.
He was asking my thoughts on it.
I started gushing out the story of my year of waiting and said, “If you are sure, I will start working on it today!”
He was convinced.
Immediately I began to look up different adoption options and educate myself on what we could expect. I spoke with several agencies who had a lot of opinions on what we should do. I spoke with several friends who were honest and genuine and, in love, told me the truth.
We found an agency we love only an hour from our home. We start our home study on Monday and I’m already impressed by the amount of paperwork!
“Adoption Isn’t Charity, It’s War!”
Russell Moore aptly said “Adoption isn’t charity, it’s war!” There is no part of me that feels charitable in this. My mama heart aches for the children God knows are mine. Adoption is an opportunity to welcome another the way Christ has welcomed me.
Adoption is the chance to take a stranger and make them my very own; to make this child an heir and subject of endless love. This is an opportunity to place an unknown sweet child in exactly the same status as my biological children.
I have experienced adoption is the most complete sense. I was brought, by the mercy of God, into His family, clothed in beautiful garments, and seated at His table of feasting. It is my joy to announce my family’s decision to mirror in a small way the beauty of this concept as we begin the home study process.
If you have ever considered adoption, I highly recommend Russell Moore’s Adopted for Life. God used this in my heart to solidify my desire to adopt and give me the words I needed to express my spirit.
Check out this post for an overview of our new series documenting God’s work in adoption, foster, and orphan care ministry all over the world!
Have you adopted? Are you adopted? Have you ever considered adoption? I would love to hear your thoughts!
I have always wanted to adopt; however, my husband isn’t thrilled with having children that aren’t our own. Not that he is an uncaring man; he just never envisioned having non-biological children. Maybe God will work on his heart or maybe he won’t… even so, if He wants it to happen with our family, then I believe He will make it happen. So amazing that He placed it on your hearts!
That is so true!! Orphan care is commanded in Scripture (James 1:27) but not necessarily adoption for every family. There are a lot of ways to be involved. You are right, if God desires that for your family, He will work it out in both of your hearts!! <3
My sister and her husband adopted 4 kids after having 2 biological kids. I saw how much baggage the adopted kids had, and it reminds me of how God adopts us into His family, even with all of our flaws.
Amen!!! God can always redeem a situation and that is a true testament to the beauty of the gospel! How awesome for your sisters family!
I am a Christian mental health therapist and I work often with parents who have or are in the process of adopting as well as the adopted child. It is a very hard process for everyone BUT the adoptive parents who are willing to meet their adoptive child where they are and alter their parenting to meet their child’s needs have the best outcomes! God Bless!
oh wow!! That is tremendous ministry I’m sure as you work with families through that process. Have you heard of “The Connected Child”? Our agency is having us read that book and I sincerely loved the support and honesty of the agency we chose as to the joys but also the intense, very real, difficulties.
I love this! I have two adopted cousins, and I have had a heart to adopt for a long time. My husband and I are newly married and not ready for kids yet, but adoption is something we both hope to do in the future.
That is awesome!! I highly recommend “Adopted for Life” by Russell Moore! I found it deeply eye opening and convicting as I considered and prayed through this possibility! If you have that heart, I am sure the Lord will continue to grow that desire. Congratulations on your new marriage!
I love your statement that adoption is war. My son had been through the process this year. I definitely agree that it is all out war for the life of another.
Amen!! <3 A privilege to fight...
Wow! I love how you prayed about it instead of talking about it! What faith and courage to wait on the Lord!
That was a VERY difficult thing for me. I am by nature a nagger 😉 but the Lord is faithful and good and stood by to shut my mouth!
Praying for a close family member about a potential adoption. My heart breaks for the separation of one family, but I’m cautiously excited about the opportunity for kids to know how loved and protected they are, even if not by a biological family.
I love this quote by Jody Landers “A child born to another woman calls me mommy. The magnitude of that tragedy and the depth of that privilege are not lost on me.” Adoption is only necessary because we live in a broken world. But it is a broken world our God can redeem!! I sincerely hope the Lord clearly leads your family member in the direction of His will <3
Katie, Besides your wonderful news of going forward on adoption, you brought up the whole area of giving your husband your opinion and then waiting and praying for his decision. So often wives are afraid to bring up topics for fear of annoying their husbands and then if they do, they want an immediate answer on the topic. In addition, so many feel they have to argue for their point of view. What a beautiful lesson you give here of expressing your desires and then waiting on the Lord to convict your husband.
Love, Hugs, and Prayers.
NanaPennypockets
That was a very difficult waiting period for me but I really wanted this decision to be something the Lord had convinced both of us of, not something I nagged about. God was faithful as He always is when I was submitted to His will. Thank you for your encouragement!!!
Our daughter is not only my birth daughter but also my adopted daughter. In this state a birth parent has to adopt to maintain parental rights. But the real miracle is that my new,at that time, husband wanted to be her dad
Your family is certainly a blessing and am amazing story!! <3
This is such a perfect example of hospitality. I really hope that my husband and I feel this call one day.
How sweet!! I hope so too!! There are many children in need of a family <3
My wife and I have thought about adopting throughout the last 10 years. We have put the adoption plans on hold since we have had 3 biological children during that time. Our last was born this past December and we are probably going to start having the adoption discussion more seriously (although we may give it another couple of years to get out of the diaper stage with our 3rd 🙂
I loved this quote from your post: “Adoption is an opportunity to welcome another the way Christ has welcomed me.”
What an incredible picture of God’s love!
Thanks for posting this!
That is wonderful that God has laid adoption on your heart and your wife’s heart! The beautiful thing is that He will work out all of the timing so that exactly the child He has for your family is ready when you are!! Congratulations on your newest addition to the family! Thank you for the encouragement!
Absolutely!
I have always wanted to adopt a baby but first I have to get married and have my own kids first. God-willing my husband will be for the idea
I trust that as your get closer to this possibility the Lord will continue to work in your heart toward it! I know He has for me!