"...we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption..." - Romans 8:23
So how much better might the world be if we were all in tune with the basic human need and longing to be a part of a healthy family? Yes, I do mean a healthy, earthly family. But I mean an earthly family as God intended our earthly families to be an outward sign of even deeper, richer relationships in the ultimate big family that is God's family on earth and in heaven.
To this end, may I offer an invitation and a testimony, calling all of us to "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for [the sure knowledge that God wants all of us invited and welcomed into his big healthy family by way of spiritual] adoption..." (Romans 8:23)?
First, here's the invitation. The "Honest to Goodness Father-Daughter Forum" is being offered on both Saturdays, December 21 and 28 from 6 pm - 10 pm here at our home, 1601 Southcrest Trail, Hoover, AL 35244. Chili dinner will be provided for all. RSVP to pastor2553@tmo.blackberry.net with the date(s) you plan to attend and the name and age of the father and/or daughter(s) attending. Registration is open until Monday, December 16. There is no registration fee, but a free will offering may be gathered if registration greatly exceeds expectations, which would be marvelous!
Second, here's the testimony from my almost 21-year-old daughter, Calley, as she wrote in her blog last night:
When I read adoption blogs, I cry a lot.
I cry a lot because I miss my babies. I don't know when I'll get to hold them and kiss them and tell them, "You are a child of God," and whisper, "Momma and Daddy love you" into their ears. I don't know how long they will have to wait on me. I don't know if someone is taking care of them. I don't know if they are safe. I don't know if they are full and warm and dressed. I don't even know their names or their birthdays or their favorite thing.
But I know the promises of my Heavenly Father to love them and defend them and call them by name. So I will surrender my children into His care. In fact, it's such a blessing to have this time when the Lord is so clearly calling me to surrender them to Him, because even when I have them in my home, they still are the Lord's. And the Lord knows.
The Lord knows I cry a lot because I miss my babies. The Lord knows when I'll get to hold them and kiss them and tell them, "You are a child of God," and whisper, "Momma and Daddy love you" into their ears. The Lord knows how long they will have to wait on me, [and they don't have to wait on Him]. The Lord knows if someone is taking care of them; [He is!]. The Lord knows if they are safe; [He is their Protector]. The Lord knows if they are full and warm and dressed; [He is their Provider]. The Lord even knows their names and their birthdays and their favorite thing.
When I think about this, I cry a lot. It is the Good.
"...we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption..." - Romans 8:23
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
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