The Greatest Gift – by Milly Born
“We’re going to adopt.”
“Adopt? Why?” Our friend looked alarmed. “Adoption is risky. If it doesn’t work out, you’re stuck. With foster care, you can give the child back to Social Services."
We couldn’t believe our ears. Information sessions and interviews had prepared us well for the challenges of rearing an abandoned, orphaned, or abused child. We might get tired, disappointed, desperate, and hurt. But we would never want to opt out. Just like our eternal Father adopted us, we wanted to be a forever family for a child. Foster care may be the best solution for many children, but its purpose is not to provide a loophole for parents who fear commitment.
An important reason for failure in adoption—as in any relationship—is the lack of commitment. Without commitment, we easily find a reason to renounce. “It’s too difficult.” “The chemistry isn’t right.” “I have to give up too much.” Our needs, our expectations are not being met, and instead of fighting for God’s greatest gift—love—we pull back.
God’s love is a giving love. He gave Himself because He loved us, even before we loved Him. We may repudiate Him, but He is faithful, His arms forever open to embrace us. He loves us, even if we are despicable, hate Him, or don’t believe in Him. He will never stop loving us.
The Bible says, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11 ESV).
We ignored our friend’s advice. We adopted a seven-year-old girl, and God's love empowered us to overcome every obstacle. She is our daughter—forever.
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