Jonathan Herron: The Only Way to Live is to Love

"I'm learning that the only way to live is to love." - Emily Powers on open adoption.

This week would have been my Grandfather's 90th birthday. He was a remarkable chap who spent his first 18 years as an orphan in the shadow of the Hymalayas. When he was my age, he led his family through the years-long process of immigrating to the United States. 40 years later, he would be personally honored by the President.

My grandfather abruptly passed away this past January as we were slowly making plans to celebrate his 90th, which would have been this week.

And so how providential that this week, when our family's thoughts were reflecting on his life, we would officially and legally welcome a new life into our family. The court papers appeared yesterday. By decree of the State of Michigan, little Ainsleigh Grace is now legally adopted into our family!

Adoption is is tender to the heart. It is the yearning of all humans: to be accepted and loved. The Scriptures tell us that we are all sojourners temporarily walking through this life. Our home is elsewhere, so like orphans and immigrants, we yearn for something More.

Welcoming someone into your family through adoption produces a range of emotions: thankfulness, excitement, anxiety, etc. It's like having a baby, only you aren't afforded the luxury of nine months to prepare. Sometimes, as in Ainsleigh's case, there isn't even a baby shower. Just a big BOOM, here she is!

And I love it. God works in big BOOMS.

Adoption is a beautiful picture of the 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).

To accept and love is to experience and share a taste of the gospel.

And so we celebrate. As every state has different laws, Ainsleigh's adoption finalization was ushered in differently than Josiah's was in Ohio. But different is good. If it means keeping this little lady in our lives forever, I'm good with different.

And I know that a former Indian orphan is looking down with a huge smile on his face.