We have been planning and dreaming about Marisa for years. As early as 2001, we knew we wanted to adopt from China. Meanwhile, if she's even been born yet, our daughter has no idea who we are. She may be in a crib in an orphanage right now. If so, she doesn't know how long we've waited, or how tough the journey to get to her has been. She doesn't know how much we love her already, or that there is a little boy from Africa that will be her big brother. She doesn't know that there are extended family members who love her, and have waited with expectation for her to come home.
All of this makes me wonder how many people are unaware of God's love. While we have made "sacrifices" and "suffered" much heartache as we wait for our daughter, God actually came down to earth and died on a cross so we all could know Him; that's a real sacrifice! Some people know about what He's done, but they've rejected or ignored His offer to be adopted by Him. While we were in Rwanda, we went back to Kieran's orphanage to say good bye. Kieran had been with us for only four days then. Visiting the orphanage was hard for him and he wanted to stay there where things were familiar. At the end of our visit, we sat in the van waiting to leave. I tried to comfort him, as I knew what we had to offer him would surpass what he was leaving behind. I whispered into his little ear, "Son you have no idea the house that's been prepared for you. You will have your own room filled with toys, a huge crib, plenty of food to eat, lots of clothes to wear, and a family who loves you." (Please understand that the orphanage did the best they could but it wasn't the same as the love of a family.) Thankfully, Kieran is happy in his new home and wonderfully bonded with us now. We are his family; we are so blessed and honored to be his parents. Although we are an imperfect example of love, God's love is perfect. He loves each and every person, with no exceptions.
Maybe you've been unaware of how much God cares about you. Or, maybe you've heard about Him and chose to stick with what you knew rather than trust Him. Either way, Easter is always a good time to take a closer look at what you have been missing. Here is the gist of the Easter message: Isaiah 53:5 "He (Jesus) was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." If we open our hearts in faith and receive His forgiveness for our sins, we are adopted into God's family. 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"
“In love God predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:5-8
