The Gospel

“But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.”

Galatians 4:4-7  (The Message)

 

Before Grant and I were an ‘us’ we were youth interns, working for a youth ministry in Texas. He was fresh out of college and I was finishing up my last year of school. I remember clearly meeting and praying for the youth, discussing their needs and framing our theme for the summer that we’d be working together.

We were drawn to scriptures (like the one above) which make it clear that we are chosen for-not mistakenly born into-our right with the Lord. I remember feeling a desire to impress this idea onto the teens we worked with. I wanted to shake them and say, “Don’t you get it?! You were CHOSEN by GOD! HE adopted YOU. Doesn’t that mean something to you that the Creator of the entire universe picked you?"

A few more years of life experience would reveal to me that this truth, intrinsic to the Gospel, is rarely grasped by His followers. I don’t claim to grasp it myself, but I do know that if we followers truly believed this, our lives would look differently. Our bank accounts, our time spent, the conversations and media we ingested-they’d look completely unlike they do now if we REALLY believed that we’d been adopted by the same hands who literally crafted caterpillars as well as mountain ranges.

It was clear to me at 19 that this theme of adoption and rescue was going to remain a part of me and be pressed upon me to live out at some point. I did not know that I’d be marrying Grant or choosing to be obedient alongside him-but BAM! Seven years later and look where He has us!  Today Grant and I are working on the getting our home liscenced and completing the necessary classes and tasks so that we'll be eligible to foster kids ages 0-6 years old.  Through this process we will also make ourselves available to adopt should the opportunity present itselve.  What a faithful Lord. I feel so, so flattered that He chose to answer the desires of a disobedient, arrogant, rebellious 19-year-old me. How GOOD is He?   

Grant and I have no doubt that we’ll face challenges and more than our fair share of heartbreak through foster care and eventually adoption. But we’ve been told by our Lord to care for orphans and widows (James 1:27) and far be it from us to disobey THAT guy. You know, the same one who chose and adopted us? While we were filthy, nasty sinners? The same one who continues to foster a relationship with us even though we refuse Him time and time again? Yeah, HIM!

Thank you to those of you have shown us support through prayer and your excitement for us! Here are some things we are praying about now:

-The right childcare for the daytime hours

- Total trust in God with our finances

- A heart filled with God’s perfect love