“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba Father”.”

-Romans 8:14-16

Our Family

Adoption in the Bible is not only literal in the sense of becoming a foster or adoptive parent such as mandated in James 1:27, but adoption is mentioned in scripture to illustrate God’s ‘claim’ on each one of us.

By our sinful nature we are separated from God, but through His adoption of us as His children we come home.  This is a perfect illustration and example for us and the earthly adoption journey.  Being a foster and adoptive parent myself I can attest to the fact that because of circumstance my children were in many ways alien to me, but through God’s love and acceptance of me I understand how important it is to love a child who needs a family.

Our  family’s journey, which you can follow in our BLOG at www.arethesekidsallyours.blogspot.com has been a rollercoaster of joy and pain.  Adoption is not for the weak, but like every tough journey the rewards are amazing!  Running a marathon isn’t easy – it takes training, perseverance, determination and time, but the satisfaction of completing the race is worth every minute of hard work.  Adoption and fostering is much the same – it takes a lot of planning (Get the facts on fostering and facts on adoption) prayer, dedication, grace and persistence, but the joy of giving a child what they need, which is a family is worth it.  God has a special place in His heart for the orphan and when we follow Him to the orphan and get involved we get very close to the heart of God – and that place is quite special.  Foster and adoptive parents will tell you that the intimacy with the Lord through their journey is so special.

Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman who has done so much work for orphans through “Show Hope” was sharing once about how he had not really wanted to consider adoption as it wasn’t his calling. After bringing his little girl home from China through adoption he admitted that he “Almost missed this”.  God had laid something on his heart that he almost passed by.  He was so glad that he did submit to God, and it changed his life.  He became for his children what we need from God when we cry “Daddy” to him.

Whatever it is God is calling you to do, whether becoming a foster or adoptive parent, or whether it’s something else DO NOT MISS IT!  Don’t let the opportunity to make a difference pass you by!

-Jason