Orphans, Love, Pain, & Promises

For the past week and a half our family welcomed a young child into our home.  We were doing respite care for a foster family who would be out of town for 10 days.  Erin and I have recently been licensed to do foster care or adopt through a Christian adoption agency.  This was our first go in the system.  Here are some reflections on that time and what it's been like the past few days since the child left.

First, since moving to Ohio we have come across a significant number of people who have either adopted or are in process.  We have loved that about our planting church (www.northcincy.org) and even within our small group that is forming the basis of Living Hope.

Second, adoption is so rich theologically.  To think that rebellious sinners can become children of God through the sheer grace and mercy of God because of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ: it really is something that should never cease to amaze believers.  We are by nature children of wrath, dead in our trespasses and sins - ...but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ...(Ephesians 2:4, 5a).  This is theology that leads to doxology!

Third, I was amazed how quickly our family bonded with this child.  Having another person - a strange child in our family for 10 days added some different twists and limited us a tad bit, but nothing that wasn't well worth it.  This little one was adorable and so fun loving.  Every night our kids couldn't go to bed without giving their nightly hugs and kisses.  When the child left what I heard was - "it's lonely here...we miss...etc..."  Our family loved this kid greatly.  It was hard to see the time end.

Fourth, it is painful to think about the situation this child could be going back to.  There was a reason that this child was placed away from family, because it wasn't good...and the child could be going back.  It's so hard to think that.  To think that this precious little one could be put back in a bad situation, in a place that isn't good is gut wrenching.  It isn't the way it's supposed to be - it's not right!  I pray that this child is protected.  That God's kingdom comes to this one in a real way and invades this child's family and transforms them, but my hope for this is hard to have.  I believe that God is sovereign, but somehow that doesn't help enough right now.  I believe he can change the situation, but will he?

Truly though, Christ and his intervention is my only hope for this child just as it is my only hope for my children.  It doesn't make it easier for God that they live in a nice home with two loving parents...he works for his glory and pleasure.  Yes, I know he works through families and is a God of covenants and our children are part of the covenant community and there are advantages to that - but God must still call.  Please pray with us that God would chose to call this child and his family and that his kingdom would come powerfully to them.  Because I do know, if God calls Christ will never leave.  His promise in John 14:18 is so wonderful:

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Come, Lord come!