Inspirations on Adoption (Part 3)

by Shelley McCraw

In just a few short months, circumstances changed with our foster daughter’s situation. What began as a temporary stay, turned into a permanent placement. Again, we were given an opportunity to say “yes” to another step. We were beyond thrilled. Although she had already taken residence in our hearts, we legally became her family eleven months later.

Another step in our journey came not even a year later when we welcomed her newborn biological sister with only a few weeks notice! We became a family with five children ages 19, 16, 14, 3 and newborn. Although it looked crazy to outsiders and even some of our family, it was beautiful and undoubtedly the right plan for us.

One of the most meaningful and personal lessons for me came about during the adoption proceedings as the judge explained the legalities of our commitment to our newly adopted daughter. He stated that adoption is a legal proceeding that permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the biological parents to the adoptive parents. We would receive a new birth certificate that named us as her parents and that our adoptive daughters had equal rights to whatever inheritance as our natural born children. Legally, since they were chosen, they were equal. As we signed those papers we committed to our daughter for life. We said “yes” to being her provider, her guardian, and her safe place. That’s when it hit me.

According to Ephesians 1:5, we are predestined to be adopted as sons and daughters through Christ Jesus. So as a daughter, adopted into the family of God through the acceptance of the gift of salvation, God grants me a new birth certificate with Him named as my father, and I have equal access to all the promises of scripture. It’s my legal birthright! The good news is that we are all hand-picked by Him and receive all the benefits of being His adopted child.

Walking this road of adoption and loving my daughters has given me a glimpse of God’s great unconditional love for me. I now understand David Platt’s statement in a way that I didn’t really understand in the beginning of my journey. “It’s important to realize that we adopt not because we are the rescuers. No, we adopt because we are rescued.” We really do love because He loved us first.