Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Pictures from Adoptions - II

One of the things that happens when an orphan is adopted, is that the child becomes an heir to the father.  As if having a new home, new parents to love them, and all the blessings that come from being in a family were not enough, he is made to share in all that the father has, both now and in the future.  

I have two boys that we adopted from Russia when they were twelve and thirteen.  In Russia the boys in the orphanage have two basic career paths the Russian Army or crime.  Given the current state of the Russian economy and the Russian Army, neither is a very good choice.  One day we were talking about the future, and we were talking about what they were going to do.  They kept asking about what the American Army was like.  I kept explaining to them that “if” they went into the Army it would be like so and so.  The word “if” kept confusing them.  Suddenly it dawned on them what I was saying; they were not required to go into the Army.  They began to realize that, with their new father, not only had their present life changed, but their future as well.  They suddenly had a new hope in life.  

Much more so ought we to realize the eternal blessings that are ours because of our adoption.  Our hope is not in material blessings such as better jobs, houses, and other trinkets.  Our hope is in the Lord and the glory of His presence and that we have a home with Him forever.  Do we really know and understand what that means? Do we recognize the infinite value of it? Oh, that we may know and understand the riches of our inheritance!  


Rom 8:14-18      For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.     For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(NKJ)

3 comments:

Stephen Morse said...

Isn't that so true?
What a wonderful picture of God's grace towards us; those whom He has given the 'right' to become children of God! Powerful stuff!
I think it gives such a great illustration of God's specific love towards His children also!

ramona said...

Sergei, just about to turn 18, has aspirations to become a professional photographer. Zhenya, age 16, hopes to be an architect. Bob, can we post some of Sergei's photos on here?

Paul Lamey said...

Sheshe, I think that's a great idea. I would also love to post some of his pics over at my place.

Bob, I really like your perspective on these spiritual portraits of adoption.