Sissy's Reflections.....on Adoption!

I am so proud of my eldest Elizabeth! She was asked by her English teacher to write a piece for a weekly column in the Religion section of our local newspaper. The column is entitled "Reflections"....Here is what was printed in today's newspaper....

I have heard the analogy many times before that compares becoming a Christian to being adopted into a whole new family, but that parallel didn’t really click with me until this past year. A little angel named Bella is sound asleep in the room next to me, and this is because of adoption. She loves to sing and dance, watch football on TV, and drink chocolate milk with every meal. She gives out hugs to everyone she meets, and she “helps” me brush my hair in the morning. It’s hard to believe that she hasn’t been a part of our family forever.

The amazing fact is that specifically choosing Bella to adopt was almost random, as we only had a small picture and description of her. She could’ve gone to any other family in the world, or not have been adopted at all, and yet here she is, fitting in like a puzzle piece. She didn’t do anything to deserve a new life and all the perks that come with it.

In the same way, no Christian does anything to deserve an eternity in heaven with the Lord. We are like Bella, waiting in an orphanage and unaware that there’s anything better for us. But God, in His mercy, adopted us into His family. Jesus once said, “I will not abandon you as orphans – I will come to you.” (John 14:18, NLT) He spoke those words to his anxious disciples as a promise that even after He is physically gone, He will never leave them to be alone in the world, in the same way that He never leaves us.

The Bible says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” (Proverbs 3:27) Thus I also encourage you to evaluate if you can somehow help the orphans in the world, either through donations and financial support, adopting a child into your family, or just through continual prayer. Bella is a healthy and happy little girl, but many, many other children are suffering and going through their days barely conscious of their surroundings. They need to be cuddled and loved just like any child.

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.” (James 1:27) Jesus cares about all these little children…we should, too. A lady recently came up to me in church and said, “God must be so blessed to hear Bella when she sings along to the hymns.” Bella just gripped my hand and smiled up at me. The sounds of her unabashed singing are not only a blessing to Him; she has totally changed my life.