Adoption

Adoption

“It’s everywhere I look.” This was the conclusion I came to after my wife and I agreed to spend time reading Scripture and praying specifically through the decision of adoption. God’s heart for the orphaned, lost, and abandoned child is written all over Scripture. He provides promises for those children, gives instruction to His people, and even uses the picture of adoption to display our new relationship with Him through the work of Christ at the cross. God makes it clear that He cares for these children and He also calls His people to imitate Him in that love. This was a truth that I saw everywhere and a calling that I could not ignore as a follower of Christ.

From a young age I witnessed those who looked out for the forsaken in my grandparents. Their story is unique. They looked specifically for those who no-one wanted. In that, they were able to adopt 30 kids (while having 7 biologically) from very different backgrounds with very special needs. In this example I was able to see that as difficult and challenging as it can be to bring in kids who have been neglected and who need extra care, there is also great reward. There are many stories my grandparents have passed on of the Lord providing in incredible ways, which only solidifies for me today this truth that God cares and looks after children who have nowhere to turn. In Ps. 27:10, there is a confidence in the Lord’s provision for these, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.” Those who take in foster children and those who adopt are a fulfillment of these words. They are the instrument that God uses to “take up” those who have been forsaken. The reason I wanted to pursue foster-to-adoption is to be that instrument. I want kids to know that they can hold to what Ps. 27:10 says. I want them to see the reality of it.

I also want to worship the Lord in the way that matters to Him. As James says, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27). To “visit” the orphan is not just to acknowledge them but to find ways to look after and care for them. For Lindsey and I, this means opening up our home. How could we not, especially in seeing how God has reached out to us in our sin? Paul says in Eph. 1:5-6, “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” When we were unlovable, on our own, and at our worst (Rom. 5:8) the Lord took us in through Christ. The work of Jesus has made it possible for us to have a Father and home in heaven. What tremendous love He has shown us in our own adoption! Any care for the orphan, whether through fostering, adopting, or supporting those families, ministries, and organizations that do the work is in some way pointing to this love of God. We hope that you will pray with and for us as we continue in this journey. We also pray that the Lord would lead you in caring for the forsaken in some way.

 Praying For Spiritual And Physical Children To Find Their Way Home, Pastor Rudy