Inheritance

I read this quote the other day:

"In adoption the fearful become beloved, the scorned become adored, the nameless become cherished, the lonely become the laughing, and death becomes life abundant."

~Kerry Hasenbalg

It has run through my head over and over. It has gnawed at my heart over and over. I do a lot of "what ifs" when it comes to Lindsey. I'm not sure it is healthy or if it serves a purpose, but I do it. I hear statistics and stories on orphans and I think "that could have been Lindsey". That could have been our beloved, adored, cherished, and laughing Lindsey.

This played out in a very real way for me a couple of weekends ago. Ben had his pine wood derby race. Tim had planned on just taking him when he asked if Lindsey could go. She could race an old car of his in the sibling category. The three of them set out to conquer the race track!

Tim sent me a picture from his phone during Lindsey's race.

There for all to see. She is no longer nameless. She was given a name by the orphanage staff and her last name matched all the other orphans in leu of the province she was found. No baby book names, no discussion and no heritage. And now...cherished and an Apisa name with all the rights and inheritance that come with it. There seems to be something so gospelish about that. Isn't that the same as our spiritual adoption?

God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, " Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7

I met Ben at the door when they came home. He ran past me to his room and came back down with an old baseball trophy. His car had actually won a trophy for placing second. Lindsey's car didn't fare as well. But he wasn't about to let his little beloved sister feel left out. So in our kitchen, he conducted his own award ceremony to present her with a trophy as well.

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me...He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to give them beauty for ashes...that He might be glorified."

Isaiah 61:1-3

Considering adoption? Pray...there are millions of fearful, scorned, nameless, and lonely that wait.