THANK YOU, MY FATHER

For you have not received a spirit of slavery
leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of
adoption as sons by which we cry out,
“Abba! Father!”

The Spirit Himself testifies with our
spirit that we are children of God.
Romans 8:15-16

We were nervous to say the least as we entered the Cook County courthouse in Chicago, Illinois. In hand Brian carried a new diaper bag and I carried the new baby girl we had received for adoption just one month previous to that day. We had to appear in court in order to get legal custody of her. I dressed her in a pretty yellow dress that had been given as a gift.

The court room was unusual. It didn't look like anything on TV. There was little seating in the court room area. The wall to the right of the room was of glass. This was obviously Family Court because behind that huge glass I saw rocking chairs, changing tables, play pens, cribs of various sizes and adults with children mostly age four and under. It was a happy place.

We were called in to appear before the judge. He looked so like a grandfather with his gray hair and warm smile, but with the black robe. He had some introductory remarks for our lawyer while Brian and I stood in front of his bench. Jennie was asleep, her little tummy cozied up to me, breathing as a sleeping baby does. Her face was nestled in my neck at the moment. The judge addressed Brian and me regarding our responsibility in adopting Jennie. He reminded us that she had every right as if she were our naturally born baby. He said she had every right to physical provision and protection, education opportunities, the right to bear our name, the right to inheritance...all this even if we had future birth children. No difference could be made in the children in our family.

When all of that was laid out to us, we had to verbally agree to those things even though we knew those things prior to that time. Surprisingly, the judge looked at Jennie who was still sleeping soundly, and said, “Jennie, do you want to go home with these folks and they be your mommy and daddy?” Suddenly, Jennie let out one of those baby sighs that only babies can when they are sleeping. The judge smiled and said, “Well Jennie, that's good enough for me.” By law Jennie couldn't be ours for another six months, but we knew from that court experience that she was ours.

I can't tell you how often I think back to that judges admonition to us. I can't even explain all the red tape we had to go through to finally be handed Jennie's adoption papers. She just became a part of an earthly family. With God, it is different...no red tape, no jumping through hoops to become a member of His family. No visits to CPS, lawyers office or court rooms. We have the say regarding our own adoption into His wonderful family. He becomes the best Father any of we human beings have ever had or ever will have.

We have a book, our Father's Word, where He gives us every promise of His watch care and provision. He will teach and train us. Unlike any earthly parents, God has been total provider. He has protected me when in danger. He has also chastened me as a loving Father would do and that's been a real education. I also have an inheritance reserved for me in glory with my name attached to it signed in the blood of Jesus who made possible my adoption into God's family.

Just as we promised to be the parents Jennie needed, I think of the myriad of promises God gives to me personally in His Word:

For I am the Lord your God,
who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, “Do not fear,
I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13

And my God will supply all your
needs according to His riches
in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

My earthly father couldn't be with me at all times, but I have the promises of my Heavenly Father that He will never leave me or forsake me because His presence through His Spirit abides in me and will be a constant presence in my life on this earth.

I have the privilege of calling God “ABBA ...Father” and to extend to Him my personal HAPPY FATHER'S DAY as lovingly as I can.

Thank You Father for all You are in my life. The list is too long to write out but I love You dearly more than I ever could any earthly individual. Forgive me for those times I disappoint you because of my sin. Just know I love You and am grateful for Jesus and Your Spirit for all You do in blessing my life. In Jesus' sweet name....Amen