One of the most profound experiences in my legal career involved the adoption of a baby girl with significant health problems. She was not expected to live for more than a year. In a culture where most adoptive parents want a healthy baby, my clients wanted this tiny, drug-damaged baby. They knew they were taking a huge risk adopting such an unhealthy child. They knew that despite all the love they gave her, she may not survive beyond a year. They could pour hours and hours of time and thousands and thousands of dollars into this child and never be sure they would reap the full benefits of parenthood. But…
She mattered enough to risk their love—even if it was only for only a year.
Their love moved my soul.
God used it to remind me of the great risk Jesus took in loving the entire sin-damaged human race. He died for the most heinous criminal, the richest oligarch, the sweet granny down the street, and—every person you know. He risked death even though He knew that MANY would reject His gift of salvation. He risked loving to—His last drop of blood. Not only did He die for us, He continues to provide abundantly even for those who continue to reject Him. The sun rises, oxygen is plentiful, the rain falls. He gives health, wealth and opportunities—even to His enemies.
But—the goal of His love—is a relationship.
This family loved because they desired to have a relationship with this child—a strong, familial bond. That’s exactly what God desires with us!
“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons [or daughters]. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a SLAVE but a SON, and if a son, then an HEIR of God through Christ.”
Galatians 4:3-7
“Abba Father” is like saying “Daddy;” and signifies a deeply personal way to address God.
This intimacy with God is ours for the taking. Each one of us was created for a relationship with God. Although we are ALL ravaged by sin, we are far too precious to God for Him to EVER stop loving us. God’s love is powerful. The love of this family for this vulnerable infant inspired me to love others like God loves me.
Loving others the way God loves us is—the ultimate human expression.
P.S. God blessed this family so much. I receive a Christmas card from them every year and…the infant who wasn’t supposed to live more than a year, is now a beautiful, thriving young lady. Isn’t God good???
To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.
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