Adopted into the Family

I’m getting old. You want to know how I know this? My oldest son turns 40 today.  I remember turning 40. My mom called and asked me how it felt to be 40.  Feeling a bit snarky I replied, “Well, how does it feel to have a child who is 40?”  She let it slide, but today I am repentant of that smart-aleck remark.  What goes around comes around.

            I was not present 40 years ago when my son was born. Neither was my wife.  You see, we adopted him when he was two.  I remember that day like it was yesterday.  It was a Wednesday morning.  We were called by the social worker and told, “We have a blond-headed two-year-old boy looking for a home. Are you interested?”

            It didn’t take long to answer that question.  By three o’clock in the afternoon, following a brief stop at “Toy R Us,” we were home.  He had a Big Wheel and a ball and bat, and we were having a blast.  The years since that time have flown.  He is now a girl dad. Who would have thought it?

            The Bible says that God has adopted us, at least those who have placed their faith in Him.  Paul wrote, “He has given us the spirit of adoption, whereby we call Him, Abba, Father.”  God did not have to do that. He did not need us. We needed Him, and He has made a way for us to be a part of His family. What a blessing that is!

            My sons were an answer to prayer for my wife and me. And we were an answer to their needs, even if they were too young to pray for us.  My oldest, the one with the birthday, called me Daddy on the ride home that day.  What a moment that was! 

            And God thinks of me as His son.  I can’t get over that. He chose me. He loves me.  And I know that He loves you. I pray that you will experience the thrill of being adopted into the family of God.  There is nothing like it.