Romans 8:22-24

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?(NIV)

As I read this verse, it reminded me of our recent adoption of our 10-year-old foster daughter. She had lived with us just one month short of three years when her adoption was finalized. She thought her adoption would be a year sooner, because that is when she actually became available for adoption. She was eagerly awaiting her adoption day. However, we did not even have a set date until two weeks before the actual adoption hearing. There was a competing petition and we had to wait for the final adoption decision to come down from the MCI’s office before a hearing date could be set.

It was a very long wait for a child. In fact, she began to doubt our commitment to her adoption, which caused her to display some negative behaviors. It was a very trying time for our entire family. We didn’t blame her for her doubt, but her behaviors were beginning to get on everyone’s nerves. We kept reaffirming our commitment to her, but she had heard similar words from her birth family that turned out not to be true.

I realize that this verse is referring to our adoption into the body of Christ as believers and not the physical adoption of a child. However, there is certainly a correlation between the two. Many senior saints have eagerly awaited their passing from this earth to the redemption of their bodies. A new body in Christ redeemed without the aches and pains of aging and life.

Our daughter was eagerly waiting for the official changing of her name, even though she had been using our name for over a year. She was eagerly waiting to change schools because as a foster child she had to attend public school. Some of her schoolmates thought she was a liar because she had told them it would happen a year before. It was a lot of pressure on a young child.

When adopting a very young child, the parents eagerly wait for the finalization of the adoption. We adopted a newborn privately the same year. Her adoption was finalized after she spent six months in our home. We eagerly awaited that hearing when she would legally be our daughter. Obviously, it meant nothing to her because she was too young to understand. That was hard for our 10-year-old daughter because she had already been with us for over two years. She felt that her adoption should have been first. We agreed, but that was out of our control.

If you have adopted older children, did they eagerly wait for the finalization? Did you celebrate with a party? Will you celebrate their adoption day each year as husband and wife celebrate an anniversary?



Photo Credit: 2007 Julia Fuller.