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| Sadell & Ms. Marion |
Adoption means to legally take another’s child and bring it up as one’s own, to assume an attitude or position, to assume or accept responsibility for, to formally approve or accept, to start to use or follow (an idea, method, or course of action). It derives from the Latin adoptare meaning to choose. Yesterday, we celebrated my adoptive mother Marion’s 89th birthday in Philly, which makes me a bit nostalgic about the choice that she made to adopt me when she was a single school teacher many years ago. Adoptions, both legal and assumed are a big part of my family’s history. My grandparents, George and Sadell, took in one of my aunts, Violet, when she was a teenager estranged from her parents. My cousin Josh was adopted as a baby, and Sherman and I have adopted Robert.
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| Sherman, Sadell & Robert |
All of the meanings of adoption are important, but the word choose is crucial. Jesus said of His family of disciples, “You did not choose Me, I chose you.” (John 15:6) Adoptions are not unwanted pregnancies, nor are people forced to adopt. A desire is there, and decisions are made and acted upon that are not random. They change the life of the person and their parent(s) forever. The day my mom went into the agency, she saw many children but decided I was the one she would choose to love and care for until she dies. The bible says that God “sets the solitary in families.” He “makes a home for the lonely.” (Psalm 68:6) Adoptive families, like all other families are by no means perfect. Most people understand that children and young people who have been rejected, abandoned and sometimes abused carry scars from trauma into the new family. But everyone involved must make adjustments internally, and explanations for others external of them to grasp the nature of the new relationship. My mother’s bravery is inspiring because single people were not encouraged to adopt then. It was a blessing that my aunt and grandfather were also in the home to help to raise me.
Jesus said believing on, and following Him as Messiah was going to cost us everything – including perhaps some family relationships. People would be orphaned by this decision and then be grafted into His new family. He said that even His own mother, and sister would not be presumed by blood ties but would become, “Whoever does the will of God” (Mark 3:35):
God the Father’s intent and choice is to adopt those who follow Jesus as 
His children. He has taken us out of the realm of the fear, rejection and emotional displacement we have experienced in this world. He has given us the Spirit of Adoption and has become our Father. He gives us acceptance in His beloved family, people of all nations, tribes and languages who believe. Not only that, but just as I will receive an inheritance from my mother, God makes us His heirs and gives us His inheritance through Christ Jesus. (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 8:14-17) It is GOOD NEWS that we no longer have to be solitary, love is available to us!
Today I salute my mom, my family and all of those who have officially adopted, fostered, or taken in someone who was bereft of family connections to demonstrate the Love of Christ in a tangible and eternal way!! May you be rewarded for your faithfulness!!
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