Adopted

From the Bible:

"I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."(Galatians 4:1-7 ESV)

I don't know where this idea started but for as many Christmases as I can remember we as a family have always adopted some other family or child in need.   We provide food and gifts and in the past it's taken on different looks depending on whether we did it with friends, a small group or just ourselves.  This year our small group adopted a single grandmother raising three young children, two of which are only 9 months and 28 days apart!  We took them to dinner and provided gifts for the kiddos and are going to drop off a Christmas meal today for the grandmother as well as some pantry items.   I don't share this to brag at all, we love doing this and it's a joy to do it.  Maybe adopting a family isn't the right word though, really, for this Christmas tradition.   Here's what I mean:  

The questions in my devotions this morning was this.  After reading the passage below, what is the difference between adopting a family at Christmas and literally adopting a child into your family?  What does this language communicate about God's commitment to loving us?

The questions really stunned me.  I hadn't ever stopped to consider the significance of what it means to be adopted into God's family.  When I accepted Jesus to be my leader and savior and Lord of my life, I was adopted.  God made a commitment to love me and protect me and walk with me and provide for me as if I was His very own child.    What's significant about that is that He knew what a screw up I am.   Not only that but He knew when I'd be disobedient and prideful; He knew when I'd ignore Him for years at a time,and, yet, He still adopted me.  

I'm pretty much convinced Addison is perfect so the decision to love and adopt a child has been simple...and yes, I know that my perception of perfect might adjust somewhat when she hits 12, but until then let me be irrational...  I have a conceptual idea that Addison is going to be difficult at times, just like any kid, and that we will face the same struggles and battles any parent does with their child.   But rare is the child who puts their parent through the kinds of pain and grief I have put my God through.   The point here is love.   God's love is so vast and so great that it supersedes my ability to comprehend it.   I believe that the greatest gift of parenting is developing a true sense of agape love, that is, love that is unconditional and completely and totally given to an individual regardless of their actions past, present or future.  That is awesome and that is a great gift!

So, while adopting a family for Christmas does not come with the long term responsibility and extended love of parenting, it does represent a small amount of God’s intentions for us to treat one another as all members of His family. It gives us a small glimpse of the heavenly house that looks past social class or background or difficult personalities or possessions or _______. After all, isn't that what we want for ourselves every moment…to love and be loved without strings…to know that we matter no matter our failings…to be important because of who we are and not our family heritage.