from Ron Rose
September 15, 2008

Preparation

Halle Grace turned six last week. She is our newest granddaughter, a gift from God, an answer to prayer, and, in many ways, a breath of fresh air. Oh, and did I mention that she came to our family through adoption. Her first 5 years of life were lived in Ukraine, the last 2 years in an orphanage.

Imagine for a moment, what a challenge Halle Grace has faced. She has had to break into a whole new world. There are new rules, new smells, new food, new customs, new things to laugh about, and two brothers who have had a comfortable life without her.

I think the toughest challenge is learning a new language. But once she knows the words, she has to learn what’s appropriate to say and when she can say it? And how do you compete with others who are faster, stronger, and smarter? Will you always be loved? Will your family get mad and send you back?

Every month is filled with new challenges: family traditions, holidays, summer adventures, water parks, museums, bikes, secrets, parties, TV, church, grandparents, cousins, freedoms, and limitations. It’s life in the fast lane in the USA.

All this has caused me to think again about our adoption into the family of God. Even with a new heart and a new spirit, we face unexpected challenges around every corner.

Some of us, over time, have developed our own “holy” language that is only spoken in church. Others have a collection of religious hoops that must be jumped through to be accepted in the family. A few will not allow dissent; doubts are taboo, and new ideas discouraged.

I know there will always be people who are satisfied with the way things are, and people who want to see things change. But our faith is not based on our brothers and sisters, it’s based solely on our Father-God who in the power of his grace adopts us into his family of misfits; no matter what kind of family we have come from, we have a place in his. He chooses us and changes everything. That is what adoption is all about—grace.

God did it; he really wants us in his family. I need to be reminded of my adoption. It’s my baseline. It’s where I stand… to accept his invitation to sit at his table, play in his world, and rest in his arms.

There is a secret here that must be experienced more than just shared—the focus for successful adoption is grace. No one has to be worried about being good enough to be loved, pretty enough to be special, or smart enough to be treasured. God doesn’t send people back, even if we never learn the language.

Inspiration

Halle thought she knew how to swim. She told Julie, her mom, about swimming in the sea in Mariupol before her adoption. But that sea is so shallow, Halle could walk 50 yards into the water and still touch the bottom. So, when she got to the pool for swimming lessons she jumped right it… the deep end. She learned an important truth immediately; she didn’t know how to swim.

After the lessons, Julie took Halle Grace and the boys to the water park. Halle loved it; the water wasn’t over her head. Then, while they were in line near the top of a water slide Halle Grace began screaming.

The lifeguard carried her down and Julie ran to catch up as they headed for the first aid clinic. A bee had stung Halle and the lifeguard asked if Halle was allergic, or if she had been stung before. Julie had no idea.

She explained that they had recently adopted her from Ukraine. The lifeguard interrupted and said, "Does she speak Russian?"

Julie said, “Yes!”

That young lifeguard immediately began speaking to Halle Grace in Russian! She asked her if she had been stung before and Halle Grace said no. She went on explaining that they were going to put some medicine on it and that it would be ok.

After Halle was treated and feeling a little better, the lifeguard explained that she had been adopted from Russia 5 years ago with her 2 siblings.

Do you see God’s fingerprint?

Motivation

Faith giants speak the language of the people. They don’t talk religious talk or speak in secret code. They accept people where they are, not where they wish the people were.

Faith giants spread grace all around themselves. They accept new people before anyone deserves it. There are no religious hoops to jump through in God’s family.

Accepting your adoption gives you motivation to accept someone else’s. Remember, God knows we’ve got a lot to learn about the family. And, he gives us time to mess up, but nothing can stop him from loving us.

So, what’s it feel like to be part of the family? Does that change anything?