I can’t help it…gotta blog a bit about adoption this week since I am soaking right in the middle of it. As I sit here on the patio of the guesthouse of the @ThreeAngels orphanage, I decided to take a few minutes to ponder & reflect. Since it’s naptime for my son, I might as well take a look at the journey.
God always has lessons for us in the midst of the journey.
And, well, my story of adoption has taken nearly 2 1/2 years so I have plenty to ponder.
Scripture can pop off the pages once you live them...and surprisingly, there are so many Scripture references regarding adoption that have come to life and taken on new, deeper meaning for me. We all come from different walks of life. Some have happy home lives…and others not so much. However, regardless of our upbringing, there are Scripture references calling the body of Christ “child of God” or “adopted.” But in order to be adopted, you must first be orphaned.
I don’t know a single adoption story that doesn’t begin with some sort of tragedy.
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:15-21
When Jesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans” He is talking to you and me, the body of believers. Can you imagine how confusing this must’ve sounded to the disciples at the time. Here they are sitting directly across the table. What in the world is He talking about? Um…Jesus…I see you. You are right here. And yes, it probably was just as confusing to the disciples at that time and it is to us today.
There come times in life when we all feel abandoned, alone, desolate, or stranded. We wonder where in the world is God? Why doesn’t He hear our prayers? When will He answer our call? However, we have been given an advocate, the Holy Spirit, who helps us from feeling this way. This is a promise: I will not leave you as orphans. This promise is the Holy Spirit who is our advocate, counselor, helper and comforter in time of need. The Holy Spirit reminds us we are children of God and abides within us…forever.
Although Jesus left His disciples, He left the Holy Spirit to care of them. Likewise, the Holy Spirit takes care of us and does not leave us fatherless. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s presence…and daily gives us goodnight kisses of God’s grace. God’s abundant, over-flowing, immeasurable grace. Gotta love that! And the best is yet to come because..
Jesus promises “I will come to you.” Oh yes, He will come!
“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:14
Thank you for sharing your story.