In Galatians, we are taught that as Christians, we are adopted into the family of God.
Adoption of sons
Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
There is so much in these verses to soak up and learn, but, the words that caught my eye this morning are “when the fullness of time was come.”
Abba, Father!
So many things come to mind. Christ came to redeem us when the time had come. It was His perfect timing. A mother gives birth when the fullness of time has come. And, as many of you already know, when the fullness of time has come in an adoption process, a child who may have been crying in his/her very soul, “Abba, Father,” becomes an heir in an adoptive family. Oh, can I get an Amen!
This very process is complete in our family. One of my most popular posts is about my cousin Jacob and his dear, sweet bride, Anna, at their wedding. And now they are parents.
The family
Jacob and Anna met Eric while on a mission trip to Belize and it was pretty much love at first sight. Adoption had been on their hearts since before their marriage; they just didn’t know when or how. And then they went on the trip of a lifetime. While working in an orphanage in Belize, they met Eric who was 12 at the time and had watched other children get adopted; but he was beginning to believe that he “just wasn’t wanted.” Does that not just break your heart into pieces? To quote Anna, “HE IS DEFINITELY WANTED!!!”
“The process was more than I could handle at times – the waiting, the wanting and the wishing. To know our son was waiting on us to come and get him broke my heart. But, the learning, the growing the praying, the relationships made, the support we felt, the miracles we experienced, and the faithfulness of God we saw through it all were more than worth it. …To know that he will soon be smothered by love by us and you is wonderful beyond words.” ~ Anna, the new mom.
And now the fullness of time has come. This family of 3 is playing in Belize, getting to know each other better, loving on each other and beginning their lives together. Eric is no longer an orphan, but a son of Jacob and Anna. He is the grandson of David and Christina, and Kay. He is the great grandson of Erma, nephew of Jared and Ashley, great nephew of Beckie and Irving, cousin to Johanna, me and many others, and soon to be the pet lover of Walter and Jubi. He has a family. Can I get another AMEN!!!
Jacob and Eric
Eric and Anna
And now let’s pray that God redeems all the time that they have all waited through. He is our Redeemer. Praise Him all creatures here below.
