“Just Bring Her Back!”

Romans 8:15
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

Today as I sat across from my almost 80 year old father during breakfast for my birthday, he said something very disturbing to me and it left me pondering.  On January 29, 1970 on a cold winter’s morning, my mother who was only 15 gave birth to me.  Unable to provide for me at that point in her life, she chose to put me up for adoption.  In my personal opinion she placed me in God’s hands and trusted in Him to provide for my life.  Meanwhile, in the small town of Muskegon, Michigan, there were two loving adults who just wanted a child to hold.  Edward, age 38 and Margaret age 37 were anxiously awaiting news of a baby they could adopt. Can you imagine the emotions of all involved?  My mom whose heart was breaking for the child she had to let go and for the two hearts which were aching to have a child to love.

Nine months later, after I had spent some time in an orphanage, my parents were called and told there was a child waiting for them.  Now, I was always perplexed as to why I remained in this orphanage when I had parents eagerly waiting for me just blocks from where I was located.  When I went to the agency when I turned 18, the story they gave me was that my dad did not finish schooling and neither did my mom and they wanted to give them a “smart” child because my dad had made mention that he deserved a “dumb” child just because he was not educated. What?  So a child remains in an orphanage with 2 other babies for 9 months so they could pick out the “smarter” of 3 so they could bless this new family with a child who would be “successful”?  Does anyone else see something wrong with this?

And…that’s not even the shocking statement I heard this morning, that is all old news to me.  As I am thanking my daddy for breakfast and we are finishing up we chatted about a few things and my adoption came up.  And he says, and I quote, “Yeah, when we picked you up they told us if you didn’t work out, we could bring you back and do an exchange.”  What????  My jaw dropped to the ground as I heard my dad chuckle.  I could not believe what I just heard.  Who would adopt a child and then 3 days later take it back as if it was a “lemon car purchase”?  I told my daddy I was glad they decided to keep me and he said he was too.  They never would have dreamed of returning me and for that I am grateful.

Now of course we can see the humorous side of this, however let us take a look at it with the eyes of reality.  My dad was always telling everyone when I was growing up, “Yup! We paid $350 for her she is all bought and paid for!”  I used to laugh until now, after hearing what was spoken to him at the agency.  How many parents really “bought” children only to return them because they did not fit right into their family?  Were there any rejected children?  I pray not for if one longs for something and God makes a way for it to happen they should hold on to that with all that is within them.  I am thankful for the parents I have both birth and adopted.  God has made sure I have been provided for even when I could not possibly make my own choices.

God wants to adopt all of us into His family and I can assure you, He will not be returning any of us no matter how many times we just don’t seem to “fit in”.  He will never discard us or demand a refund or exchange, He wants us just the way we are, flaws and all!  No one is more important than another.  Each child is unique and loved equally.  For some the adoption process does take longer, but that is just a matter of choices on our part, but once we are adopted by God, we are His forever and He will never let us go!  What comforting thoughts as we look around this broken world and see all the wreckage sin has done in our lives.  So many broken relationships, hearts and people, it’s good to know we have such a loving Parent watching over us.  God just longs to scoop us all up into His loving arms.  I pray you have chosen God has your adopted Daddy, for He is a provider like none other, when all others fail you in this life, God will still be a constant in your life.  He will never leave you or forsake you, it is one of His promises and I have never heard of God going back on a promise.  Be at peace today knowing you  are adopted by grace and in His love you will always remain!

John 14:16

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.