Like pretty much everyone else in the world, I’ve been following the story of Madonna and her hubby, Guy Ritchie, who’ve recently adopted a son from Malawi (to get up to speed on this topic, please read my previous posts, “Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie adopt from Malawi” and “Madonna Discusses Adoption on ‘Oprah’”

The latest updates:

The birth father yo yo: After saying he supports the adoption, and then that he doesn’t support the adoption, Yohane Banda is now back to saying he supports the adoption. At least for today.

Court Hearing Postponed: 67 human rights groups are protesting the adoption. But the court hearing, which was originally scheduled for last week, has been postponed until November 13.

In my careful scouring of the Internet for the latest Madonna adoption news (so you don’t have to!), I came across an editorial column by Jane Dratz. In The Christian Post, she writes “How to Share Your Faith Using Madonna’s Adoption.”

Now, that’s definitely a unique twist on the story!

Here’s Jane’s take:

“Regardless of whether you are supportive or critical of Madonna’s adoption efforts, adoption is a topic that provides a great conversation starter for sharing your faith.”

Jane is right-on with that comment. I’ve talked with numerous people whose lives have been touched by adoption; when they’re questioned about their transracial family or about why their birth child doesn’t live with them, they take the opportunity to explain how God is at work in their life.

Regarding our spiritual adoption as God’s children, Jane writes:

“The spiritual reality is that God is inviting every one of us to move from the spiritual poverty of sin and separation from God, into an abundant life where our relationship with God is restored through Jesus, and where we become sons and daughters of the King of the Universe! The gift of adoption into God’s family is real and eternally life-changing!”

Jane suggests several ways for Christians to move the conversation from Madonna-talk to God talk:

• Ask your friends what they think of Madonna’s adoption efforts.



• Would you ever consider adopting a child in need of a loving, caring home? Do you think it would take a lot of sacrifice?



• What do you think it would be like to go from the poverty of an orphanage in Africa to the lavish lifestyle of the rich and famous?



• Ask your friends if they realize that on a spiritual level, God’s invited us through Jesus, to walk away from our spiritual poverty and be adopted into the rich blessings of a life as His child.

What say you, readers?
Have you used your own adoption story as a means to share your faith?
If so, how? If not, why not?
How can you use the Madonna adoption as a springboard to share your own faith?

Sources:
The Guardian, “Father Backs Madonna Adoption”

The Christian Post, “How to Share Your Faith Using Madonna’s Adoption”