[God] destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will. EPHESIANS 1:5 (NRSV)
Our family embraced adoption several years ago, not as a second-best solution but as God’s plan for forming our family. Whether children have come into our homes through biological birth or adoption, love is what makes a family.
Our son, now nearing adulthood, came to our family on September 9, 2006. I became his father the first day I laid eyes on his little face in a picture. It is always such a joy to hear from my son’s lips the words, “Dad, I love you,” a vivid reminder of God’s love for me.
One of my greatest fears as an adult was becoming a father since I was a fatherless child myself. What kind of example or guidance would I give a child? It turned out that the shared experience of not having a biological father present in our lives created a stronger connection between my son and me. I can relate to so many of his questions and concerns.
God provided what I needed, and little by little all my fears melted away through love and patience. Being a father is an ongoing process of learning from new experiences and challenges, and I am not perfect. Every day I pray for God to help me be the best father I can be for my son so that he will have the tools and the assurance that God is there for him too.
Credit to The Upper Room
By Migdiel E. Pérez (Tennessee, USA)
Comments