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Jesus gave us the best look at older adoption when Mary was \"losing\" her son...he gave her another. When he was on the cross and Mary stood there crying, he made sure she was taken care of:
\"Standing near his cross were Jesus' mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the follower he loved (John) standing nearby, he said to his mother, \"Dear woman, here is your son.\" Then he said to the follower, (John) \"Here is your mother.\" From that time on, the follower took her to live in his home. After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done.\" John 19:25-28
Adoption does not have to mean a child to a parent.
Adoption means being grafted in...being loved by people who accept you and see you as family.
As Gentiles, we are all adopted or grafted in by the blood of the ultimate human sacrifice by the name of the Holiest and Highest of names...Jesus.
I think the Lord has shown us how He loves as as His chosen- bought by the blood of the lamb...by giving us two men to love and bring into our family:
Herb is our brother, and he is part of our family. The Lord brought him into our lives a year ago and we have prayed with him, and walked with him through his journey to freedom. Freedom from the death of sin, but also freedom from the chains of drugs and alcohol. We have cheered when the greatest days come along, and we rally when the days are tough.
Monti is also our brother, just came into our lives a few months ago. Almost immediately, though...we knew we were called to love this man and call him family. It was the neon blinking sign from God---on our hearts. Monti's story is amazing. What is amazing to me is this man was not \"wanted\" as perhaps I was. He didn't have the greatest childhood- was adopted by parents who really didn't seem to appreciate the gift of a child as many waiting parents do. He has a heart of gold, a laughter that warms a room, and just a genuine appreciate for life, for friendship and for family. A man who no Christmas stocking seemed to fit him anywhere on any mantle...has found one...one with his name stitched forever on the cuff \"Monti\" and a nail driven into the mantle forever marking his spot in our lives as one of our own. Not as a son, as a brother. And likewise, the nail driven hand forever marks the spot that claims us who choose to believe in Jesus, our Christ, our Savior. The one who came down as a baby for the purpose of dying and conquering death on our behalf...so that we may be called family with him. |
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\"Let us love one another for love comes from God Whoever loves, has been born of God and knows God\"
It's amazing, when God has called you to share His love to someone, He will supply you with this love.
He gives us exactly what we need to carry out the plans He has for us.
When Jeff and I felt called to do a picnic for some of the program guys at the Nashville Rescue Mission, we knew it would be a blessing to us. After two failed attempts, we did not let the adversary get us down.
We tried again, well knowing, well trusting that when the time was perfect, it would happen. And it did.
This past Saturday night some members of our community group from church got together and picked up a preselected group of 8 men from the mission to take to church. We carpooled over, picked them up, fed them, fellowshipped with them, and worshipped with them.
And Jeff and I heard some amazing stories.
It was no surprise to us that we came away from this experience SO blessed. These men had stories of hope. They are excited about what God has done for them, and they are excited to share this to others. A family man- leaving a wife and at least an 8 year old boy behind to change his life- was so full of love and passion. When I found out it was his son's birthday, I offered up my cellphone so he could call and wish him a happy birthday and have a chance to talk to him. What I saw was a man, a husband, a father, ready to be the spiritual head of his household. Ready to share the gospel and walk the righteous path. A 60 year old man who had a gun shoot others around him, turned on him, and it clicked but no shots. The gunman then turned to someone else and the gun shot them down. Convinced he was spared by God, he went to the mission to turn his life around. He has allowed the potter to mold and make him into a man after his creator's heart. He wants to go into ministry to share his story of hope, of a God who truly SAVES! T
hese men returned to the mission so thankful. So grateful. But I should be thanking them. They showed me God's love and mercy and grace. They shared with me stories that have forever changed my heart. |
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