Recently, this little lady became part of our family.
I love her so much - - she is part princess, part diva, and definitely all Herron.
Ainsleigh Grace is part of our family - we even named her purposefully as we did Josiah Nathan;
she shares some of my wife's name (Amber Leigh).
Adoption is a beautiful picture of God's Gospel:
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him.
Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.
Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 1, The Message).
When Paul wrote these words two thousand years ago, he used rich imagery to explain the Gospel.
When we place saving trust in Jesus Christ, we are adopted into God's family. This idea of adoption was rooted in ancient Greek culture, a way of creating heirs who immediately had access to their new family's wealth and position. Roman government saw the adopted person as the true heir to the family; any past obligations or trespasses were completely and irrovocably erased.
That's the rich beauty of God's Message - through Christ, we are freed from Adam's broken family tree and grafted into the New Adam's perfect family tree. The past is completely erased; we have immediate access to the Father.
Adoption gives us a new identity and total security. It cannot be undone; no one can take it away from you. It doesn't matter what your background was - race, tribe, denomination, nationality - God doesn't see it that way in His family. In Christ, we are united together by Him. Adoption is forever. It is proof that God wants you around!
Which brings me back to little Ainsleigh. She is a Herron and we're thrilled to have her in the family!
Our friends at Adoption Associates saw many little ones become part of forever families in March.
I love their tag-line: Futures Built Through Adoption. That easily sums up the Gospel.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans...
- James 1:27, NLT
* top photo: beth eggert photography
Comments