A New Niece

…but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(Rom 8:15)

My sister and her husband have just returned from Russia when they were able to meet, for the first time, their new adopted daughter. Read their story here.

Abbey is a beautiful baby girl, but as with all the children at that orphanage, she is malnourished. My sister and brother-in-law have chosen this little girl for their very own. As soon as they can get her from the Russian orphanage, which should happen in November, they will take this little girl and give her all the love, care, and nourishment that she needs.

Adoption is a beautiful picture of what God does for us. This little girl had no say in who adopted her, or whether she would be adopted or not. This little girl was not any more or less deserving of adoption than any of the other children in that orphanage. The adoption of this particular little girl does not represent injustice on the part of my sister and her husband for not taking home all the other children, but rather it represents great love and mercy by them toward their beloved child whom they called out from among the crowd. Just as my sister and brother-in-law will provide for all her needs, Father God supplies all our needs according to His riches in Glory. (Phil 4:19)

What’s more, I know my sister and her husband will impart values to this child and raise her in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4). Therefore, not only will this child have her physical needs met, but through the grace of God she has most certainly been called as one of God’s elect, and will trust the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior when she is old enough to understand. For each one who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior has been chosen by the Father to be one of His own.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
(Eph 1:3-5)

The next time someone tries to tell you that man chooses God, remind them of the story of adoption. Abbey didn’t choose my sister and brother-in-law for a mother and father, but rather they chose her. Likewise, I didn’t “choose God” for my Father, but rather He chose me as a son.

Glory to His Name.