Adoption

You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family-calling him “Father, dear Father.” For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures-for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too (Romans 8:15-17)

I once watched a heartwarming movie called, The Easy Way with Cary Grant and Betsy Drake. It was about a couple who had three children of their own but opened their home to two difficult hard to place foster children. Love and patience helped to change an obnoxious girl who didn’t trust anyone and a boy, a troublemaker afflicted with polio. It takes time to win the affections of both children but eventually, they warm up to the parents. 

There was one particular scene that really tugged at my heart. It was Christmas morning; the family was opening their Christmas presents and the adopted girl, Jane got a dress for the New Year’s Eve dance. Her adopted mother had done an alteration to one of her evening gowns for her. Jane tried it on but Teenie, the youngest didn’t like it. He said that it was still his mother’s old dress or something like that. Jane got upset and ran out of the room.

Her adopted sister mentioned that they saw a dress at a shop which Jane liked. Then, one by one the kids gave back their presents. They wanted the money to go toward buying the dress for Jane. Jane was able to go to the dance in her new dress. The love of this family for one another made me
think of what the apostle John said, “Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.” (1 John 3:18) These children showed by their actions how much Jane meant to them. Moments ago they were excited about the presents they got. Then, they decided that Jane’s happiness meant more to them than the presents. They gladly returned them so that Jane could have the dress. What unselfish love. This is the kind of love God wants us to show one another.

Like these children, we were adopted into God’s family when we accepted His Son, Jesus. Jesus willingly exchanged His life so that we could have eternal life. These children, by their actions showed who they belonged to–two loving and kind hearted parents. We should let our actions show whom we belong to–a loving and tenderhearted God. These parents took in difficult children and stray animals. God takes in spiritually lost strays. Just as this couple opened their home for strays, God has opened His heart for us. He wants us to feel loved and accepted. What a comforting thought!

Room For One More is the most widely used title for the movie. I think this is a more fitting title than The Easy Way. I can almost hear God saying, “There’s room for one more.” There is always room for one more lost soul. If God had His way, every single person on this planet would have a home with Him. The doors are open wide and He is waiting for us to go in. And those of us who have accepted Christ, we ought to take those who are lost to Him. 

The Bible says, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9) Jesus Himself said, “There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

Just as the Rose family’s house was filled with children and stray animals, God wants His house to be filled with repentant sinners.