I read a blog called Momastery.com (it's awesome if you're into loving people and having hope that the world isn't as terrible as rush hour traffic and walmart make you think). The writer there has created a word, "brutiful", for things that are completely brutal and beautiful at the same time. Adoption is brutiful.
It's brutal because there is a mother and (possibly) father who either chose or were forced (by a judge) to no longer be parents. There is a child that has suffered complete separation from his/her mother. It's brutal. Whether it's a mother that decided her baby would be better off with an adoptive family or a mother who neglected her child and therefore her parental rights were removed, adoption is brutal. It hurts. I find it difficult to think of a heart pain more crushing than feeling like your family didn't want you. Regardless of the circumstances, nearly every child who is adopted feels this. As an adoptive family, there's nothing you can do about it.
But adoption is so beautiful, it's almost magical. How do these children capture the hearts of their mothers and fathers, when their mothers have not felt them kicking in the womb and known them from their first breath? How do these children have love and trust for their parents when they have holes in their hearts for their biological parents? How is it possible for children who share no bloodlines with their families, who may be different races than their families, and who may have been adopted closer to adulthood than infancy, to look and act and sound like their parents and brothers and sisters? It happens over time, but it happens. It is such a gift.
Since becoming a mom through adoption, I feel like I have the tiniest little itty-bitty shred of an idea of the way that God loves us. God loves us SO MUCH. I wasn't born into God's family, but he grafted me in (Romans 11:11-22). Just because He loves me. Sometimes, when we're having a particularly bad day at our house, I am so humbled. Because on those days I see that Ty is doubting the love. He doesn't quite believe he is really loved, or really could be loved, or capable of being loved. He can't quite wrap his head around this idea that we will always love him, no matter what, he doesn't have to earn it and he can't do anything to get rid of it. And he rages against us because this love thing is a little too unbelievable. And I do that with God. I doubt that He REALLY has my best interest at heart, or that He's REALLY going to come through on something that I thought He told me, because it's taking longer than I thought and I don't deserve it, so why would He? It turns out, because He loves me. And because He loves you. Just because.
It's really easy to find bible verses pertaining to adoption with a simple internet search. There are tons, but these are the ones I have collected. My favorite is Genesis 33:5. (There is one translation that reads, "These are the children the Lord saw fit to bless me with." Yup.)
Genesis 33:5
5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked.
Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant. ”
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.
Psalms 68:5-6
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 1:17
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
Proverbs 31:8-9
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
Matthew 18:5
In you the orphan finds mercy.
Hosea 14:3
Never take advantage of any widow or orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure that I will hear their cry.
Exodus 22:22-23
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
Romans 8:14-16
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-6
You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.
Psalm 10: 14, 17-18
Beautiful.
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