I’ve surrounded my boys with other adopted children in hopes they will never feel alone. I stay active in a local adoption support group, involved in online adoption forums and read books on adoption. As much as I try to learn about what it’s like to be an adoptee with a different genetic makeup from my parents, I will never fully know.
I’ve tried to relate to my boys’ adoption by looking to what the Bible says about me as a child of God. As a Bible believing Christian I have been adopted into God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ. In John 1:12, we learn that if we receive Christ, we get to become children of God. In Romans 8:15, the Bible makes reference of adoption by the Spirit. This is the best way I can think of to understand and relate to how it might feel being adopted.
In Galatians 4:3-7 the Bible tells us, “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba Father!’”.
There are a few stories in the Bible that relate to adoption. There is the story of Moses who was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter after being found in the river. There is Esther who was adopted by Mordecai upon the death of her mother and father. There is also our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was, in a sense, adopted by his earthly father Joseph.
Though Jesus probably didn’t have the need for genetic information that many adopted people desire now days, I still believe Christ understands the needs of my boys. He faced rejection and abuse. These are some issues my children may deal with as a result of their past prior to placement in our family. It’s wonderful to know our Lord understands what we’ve been through in life. Who better for my son’s to look to than their own Savior! I’m so glad God understands even unique situations.
Whether we have given birth or received our children through adoption, they really are our kids on loan. They all come from God who has entrusted our children in our care.
Scripture reference quoted is from the NKJV.