Daily Archive

But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (NCV)

Several years ago some friends of mine adopted a child from a foreign country. As they neared the top of the waiting list they were told by the host country that they’d have 48 hours to arrive at the orphanage once their names ‘were up’. In a sense everything was on hold in their lives knowing that at any moment they would be hopping on a jet plane and flying around the world to meet their new infant.

In talking with the prospective father he told me how excited, nervous and scared he was…all at the same time. Even though they had three children of their own, the excitement of being able to share their love and family stability with this new little life was ‘a chance of a life time.’

I’d forgotten that conversation until recently, when I ran across John 1:12. ‘We’ve been given the right to become children of God.’ Take time to think about what being adopted means in the life of an orphan. They have, for whatever reason has lost parents and family and everything that was stability to them.

• There’s the waiting game. Every day seeing other children meeting ‘new people’ who take them away to a new life;
• Depending on how long they’ve been an orphan, they may have no concept of parents or family;
• Many are victims of some sort of tragedy or trauma;
• Most are lonely. Even though the orphanage or foster parents may do their best to offer comfort, there is no comfort like the comfort of the loving arms of mom and dad.
• They lack positive role models. People who are in their lives consistently, offering love, stability and direction;
• They have no real understanding of a relationship built on love for the reason of love alone;
• They don’t have any cheerleaders in their lives. No one to give them a ‘high-five’ and encourage them when the going gets tough. No one to celebrate their victories or stand by them in defeat.
• Even after adoption some struggle with the fear that these ‘new parents’ will abandon them.

You may be able to think of other struggles of someone who’s lived the life of an orphan. Now imagine that day when someone walks through that door, looks you straight in the eyes and says, “I choose you. For better or worse, with all your faults, for all time.” Imagine the joy and relief to think you’ve been chosen.

Each and everyone one of us has, to some degree, felt the pain of an orphan. The loneliness, the failure, the desire for someone to come alongside us when we are afraid, we’ve failed, we are sick or lonely. Our Heavenly Father came into our lives, scooped us up in his mighty, powerful and gentle arms, looked us straight in the eyes and said, “I choose you. Period.” It was nothing you did. There was nothing you that made you deserve this love. There is nothing that can take this love from you.

Your heavenly Father is someone you can count on to be there when you are lonely, be your cheerleader in victory or defeat, and to guide you through the rough and tumble journey of life.

PRAYER: Father God. Daddy. Thank you for loving me when I’m unlovely, for supporting me when I fail, encouraging me when I struggle to go on. Thank you for choosing me to be your child. Amen.