The Blessings of Adoption

For ye have not received the spirit of

bondage again to fear; but ye have

received the spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry,

Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15

Jennie Elaina Lanoue was born Monday night, November 6, 1972 around 10:00 PM. Brian and I knew we were going to be adopting a baby and we didn't care if the baby was a girl or boy. This was a private adoption arranged through our pastor and all of the legalities handled by a well respected lawyer in our community. I got the call on the Tuesday morning that our baby girl had been born and that we would probably receive her sometime on Thursday of that week. We were as excited as we could possibly be.

Jennie was in our home for close to a month when our lawyer called and said that we would need to appear in court in Chicago, Illinois in order to get legal custody of Jennie. This had to be done to insure her legal safety until her adoption would be final in June of 1973. So in mid-December we prepared for our court date. I dressed her in her prettiest dress, wrapping her up in two or three blankets against the bitter Chicago winter weather. Upon arriving at the court house, our lawyer first led us to the County Sheriff's department where Jennie had to be served with a summons....yep, not us...Jennie. I was required to lay her on a tall counter and then Brian and I had to step back some measured distance away from her. The lawyer stood at the counter with Jennie. A lady with a summons in hand approached Jennie first wrapping her little right hand fingers around the summons. She then rubbed Jennie's head with the summons and then wrapped her little left hand fingers around the summons. Jennie was sleeping, oblivious to this ridiculous procedure.

We then went to the courtroom where sat the most grandfatherly judge I had ever seen. We stood before him with me holding Jennie, her little face nuzzled into my neck as she continued to sleep on my left shoulder. The judge chit-chatted with us for a brief time and then gave us our responsibilities as adoptive parents and I'll never forget those instructions.

He told us that the state had firm expectations of adoptive parents and Jennie had certain rights as our soon-to-be-daughter. Jennie had a right to expect to:

• bear our family name
• be loved unconditionally
• have all physical needs met
• be appropriately educated
• have all medical care provided
• be protected and safe from danger
• share in any inheritance of our estate
• have parents that would never give her back or give up on her.

Just as he finished giving us the list, he paused and looked at Jennie as she slept on my shoulder. He spoke to Jennie which was about as odd as having a summons rubbed on her head. He said, “Well Jennie, this looks like good folks who want you to be their little girl. What do you think about that?” It shocked us all that as he finished the question, she stirred and gave out one of those contented baby sighs that could be clearly heard by anyone even near to where the judge was sitting. He smiled and said, “That's good enough for me.”

We didn't have to go back to court in June as the lawyer just had to go to finalize things. A caseworker came from the state for a couple of home visits but for the most part, things went well.

Forgive if I have belabored this personal saga but every time I read Romans 8:15 I think of those days of an earthly adoption. I think of those instructions the judge gave us regarding our responsibilities as new parents of this precious baby girl.

Paul says that you and I have received the spirit of adoption. We're a part of God's family. He has chosen to be my Heavenly Father. I had more to do with this remarkable relationship than Jennie had to do with her adoption. She really didn't have any say but I wanted to be God's child. Because of being adopted into God's family through the sacrifice of Jesus that made my adoption possible, I have the right to call God “Abba Father.” Our children have had a lot of friends through the years, but let me tell you that there were only three children I knew who had the right to call Brian and me “Dad” and “Mom.” Jennie, our adopted baby had that right with all of the privileges that came with it. Our other two children had the same right because of their natural birth into our family.

I am reminded of those things the judge reminded us of regarding our parental responsibilities and how wonderful to see that my adoptive Heavenly Father has and continues to provide those very same things in my life such as:

• I have the privilege of bearing His name...Christian
• God, my Father has provided for my physical and medical needs
• He has protected me, shielding me from danger, rendering overall care
• He loves me unconditionally.
• He has educated me, not in the things of the world as much as in the things of His Word...those things needful in being His child
• Through Him I will have an inheritance I don't even know much about. I know I'll receive a new house in a new city, with rewards and the riches of God as He sees fit.
• God has never given me back to the world. He has kept me despite the ways I have disappointed Him. He's never given up on me. He's always held out high hope that I could really count for Him.
  
  I don't have adoption papers from God like we have had on Jennie. But He has sealed me with His Holy Spirit. Our relationship is a done deal, no giving up. I am His and He is mine...no turning back...no turning back.
  
  

P.S.: Love you Jennie from that first day you were handed to us to this very day. It's funny that we've never really used the word “adoption” around our house. It's never been an issue. There were times out in public when you and Beverly were much younger that people would comment on how much the two of you looked alike.  It got to where you two would look at each other  and smile a knowing smile.  We are so proud of you as you love and serve the Lord.

Thank you Father...for drawing me to Yourself. I'm grateful for the example You have set for all parents. Through You, we know who and what we are supposed to be as parents to the children You have blessed us with. Thank You for standing by during times of my joy and my every need. May I seek to please You in all I do. May I enjoy thoroughly this wonderful relationship I have with You. Thank You for Your Son Jesus and for Your Holy Spirit. I love You. Amen.