I finally have some shots to share from the adoption conference we attended a few weekends ago.
It was a fantastic conference, and I have picture after picture . . .
. . . but not many words at the moment.
This is odd for me, because I process things verbally.
I figure out what the heck I’m thinking and feeling by talking. But as I approached this post and tried to assemble my thoughts and nudge them into words, I was coming up with handfuls of nothing.
Well not nothing exactly–but whisps of ideas and strings of feelings that refused to be grappled into a sentence.
I will say that I love how the first speaker, Vermon Pierre, talked about the biblical basis for adoption. And it’s very simple: believers are the adopted sons and daughters of God. God does it, and we’re supposed to imitate him.
We were messed up and undesirable–Vermon used the phrase “unadoptable”–but God chose us anyway. We actually rejected him–killed his Son–and yet he still embraces us and makes us co-heirs with Christ. I get the same inheritance that Jesus gets.
Would you adopt someone that had murdered one of your natural children? I wouldn’t . . . but God did, by adopting me. It’s pretty radical, if you think about it.
And therein lies my call to care for the orphan, because we’re told to extend the same grace that we were extended.
“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.”” (Romans 8:15)
“You are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7)
Vermon went on to say that one evening his adopted son asked “Dad, how do I know I’m really your son now?” Vermon looked him straight in the eye and said “Because I chose you. I chose you, and now you’re part of my family.”
“I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.'” (Hosea 2:23)
I don’t really have a lot more to say–other than my heart is open. I see the need, I get it–it’s just a matter of God stepping in and saying “Now. Now is the time!”
So I think I’ll just tell you to go read my friend Carrie’s wonderfully written post about adoption . . .
. . . in fact, I think I’ll go read it again too.
And I want to add–thanks for listening, friends.
View Comments (22)
Beautiful, Jenna, beautiful! Isn't it a comfort to know that even when you come up with "handfuls of nothing" (loved that btw) that the "Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express"? I liked the link to Carrie's blog too. Thanks! I pray that God will guide your thoughts and discussions.
Amen!! Yes, that's such a comfort to me too. And thanks for your prayers.
Jenna, this is very bold and compelling post. Thank you for sharing this with me. This means so much...
Jenna, thank you for sharing your journey on this road. It's something that The Mistah and I have been considering. Well actually, we've decided that it's the right path for us and we're about to jump headlong into the process.
Whoa! Wendi, that's huge! I hope the path is as smooth as possible for you guys. What a blessing you're going to be to some kiddo out there!
Thank you for sharing this. You actually included a picture of my pastor, Josh Taylor, whose family (as I'm sure he shared) is in the process of adopting a son. I have no idea if adoption is something God will call me to, but it looks like a very strong movement is starting in the Church today, compelling us to look harder at the needs of orphans.
Also the quote you included from Hosea is beautiful. And something I needed to hear.
Wow, how cool--I didn't know he was your pastor! And yes, it does seem like a movement is starting.
I don't know how much he shared when he spoke, but he's the senior pastor at Missio Dei. (Have you heard of us? We meet in Wrigleyville and Wicker Park and I'm not trying to sway you to come to our church or anything, but I'm a fan.) He and his wife have a tumblr (formerly a blog) about their adoption process. I wish they'd update it more, but it's admittedly a slow process so I don't blame them. Plus they're busy folks. :)
http://growingandgrowing.tumblr.com/
http://nantewyiyelittleone.blogspot.com/
Yes, I've heard of Missio Dei! I'd love to check you guys out sometime. And I need to look up their blog too--thanks for letting me know about it!
Well, the words you found were perfect. :) I never thought about me as an adopted child of God's, but I like that. God & Jesus set the example & gave us the principles we need to live our lives as Christians and I think that example and those principles will be most needed during the foster care and adoption process--we will need to continually remind ourselves of God's patience and love and show that to our children as well, because they have been through so much (the older ones, anyway, which is what I'm leaning toward), and will surely test our patience. Beautiful post and pictures--I esp love that chubby Asian baby getting a kiss! :)
And to add to that, Jesus himself was adopted too! He's considered a full-fledged descendant of King David even though that inheritance comes through Joseph's line, his adopted father. Adam shared that insight with me over the weekend, and it hit me for the first time.
Good point! I realized that but never thought about it before!
I'm confused, I thought Joseph was Jesus' dad? Joseph and Mary?
Well Mary conceived Jesus as a virgin, before she was married (by the Holy Spirit). When Joseph first found out about her pregnancy he was going to divorce her quietly, but then he was told in a dream that she was pregnant with the Son of God, so he married her. So Joseph is Jesus's adopted dad so to speak.
oooh! I don't think I knew the part about Joseph thinking about divorcing Mary and her getting pregnant before they were married and all that. Cool!
I loved how you've put this all together, sometimes you don't need alot of words. Thanks for sharing something so close to the heart :)
So, so lovely Jenna. I agree with Suzie. Sometimes words arent' necessary...and by not having words, we understand how you are feeling all the more.
Thanks for sharing this Jenna... It's beyond-perfect for me to read as my husband and I are in heading into similar discussions. When we do have children, we will be adopting, so anytime I have an opportunity to "eavesdrop" on others' experiences I do. :) Know that you and yours are in our prayers. xo~
Thank you for sharing with us...powerful thoughts! The pictures are great and I'm sure you'll process verbally soon - keep us posted!
A picture's worth a thousand words, Jenna, and your black & white photo of that "scrunchy baby kiss" melted my heart.