I am excited to have one of my best friends back on the blog today sharing more about her son Parker and how the adoption of their son was just the beginning of his story… just like when we are adopted into God’s family, it is the beginning of our story. I hope their story encourages you as it has me over the years. It is a story of waiting expectantly, and watching God provide His promise.
To read more of their story you can find their story in chronologial order below:
The Day My Friend Went And Got A Baby
Waiting Expectantly
The Fulfillment of Promise
Where The Sould Finds Rest
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8: 14-17
Adoption. The word may stir up many different emotions and thoughts for you. Some might include excitement, fear, apathy, joy, pain, or indifference. You might believe this doesn’t apply to your own life or it may be a major part of your life experience. The truth of the gospel is that it is significant to us as believers. We are all adopted into God’s family. Our amazing, big, wonderful, and awesome God chose each one of you to be His sons and daughters. He invites us to call him “Abba, Father” and He wants nothing more than a personal relationship with each one of us. To take His deep love a step further, He made sure that we are saved and covered by His grace. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. He is a father who deeply loves each and every one of His children…no matter how messy, sinful, or broken. His love is bigger and He is calling us home. Our loving God adopts us into His family.
Two years ago, our family was forever changed when we brought our son home with us. This was a long process that took over 2 years from applying to the agency to our final court date where he was officially made part of our family on his “Gotcha Day” (or family day as we call it). The season before he came home was one filled with prayer and waiting expectantly. We knew God would come through on His promise and our boy was worth the wait for sure! We worked with an agency called “Alternatives in Motion” to adopt Parker. It is an open adoption and we have contact with our incredible birth mother. Her beautiful choice to place her child into our family has brought us so much joy, happiness, and love. We are forever grateful.
Adoption is just the beginning of an incredible journey. One of the most beautiful parts of our adoption story is how well Parker fit right into our and was instantly cherished and forever a part of our family. This isn’t always the case, but we found it adorable that he looked just like his daddy when he was born. He and his daddy share a love of baseball, especially cheering for the Astros together. Parker and I both love sweets and enjoy sharing fun treats together. He also loves water and is a big fan of splash pads, swimming pools, and the beach, just like his mom. One of the sweetest things about Parker is how much he adores his two dogs. From day one, those pups never left his side and they are the three best friends still (even with the crazy toddler trying to ride on them…sharing his food might help make that all better). His adoption story reminds me of how we fit into God’s family when we are adopted into His kingdom. When we become a part of God’s family, we are made new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” A new journey awaits each of us as we enter into His family.
Parker has this book based on Chris Tomlin’s song “Good, Good, Father.” It is one of our favorites to read together because it shares the ways our Good, Good, Father loves and cares for us. “No matter what you say or do, a good, good father never stops loving you.” Jesus came not to condemn us for our sin, but to save us from it. John 3:17. He came to make a way for us to be with God and part of His family. God is love and calls us to love.
We are not all called to adopt, but God does ask us as Christians to look out for orphans, those in foster care, those in need of mentors, and to assist those families adopting (prayer, finances, supplies, etc.). God tells us to look out for the least of these and to love others. It may mean donating to a family adopting, or joining a race that supports adoption like Run4theChildren, or taking meals/supplies to a family that just had a foster child placed in their home. Adoption and parenting “takes a village!” Your little act can have a big, lasting impact.
It is my prayer that Parker always feels loved. He will grow up knowing his incredible “tummy mommy” made sure he had a loving home. He will grow up knowing he has a loving Father in heaven who has a big plan for his life. I pray he embraces his adoption into our family and into the kingdom of God. If you know Parker, then you can picture his “cheese face” and hear his laughter that makes you smile along with him. Mr. Social loves his buddies, pups, and family (and mowers/garbage collectors/trucks of all kinds, cake, water, and cups lol). He is pure joy and I am one happy momma. #adoptionrocks #thisisourstory
