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Seeds of the Kingdom

Adopted Into His family

by Yulia Kariuki

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:5, NLT

Recently, a friend of my decided to adopt children. The Lord had placed that desire in her heart, and being obedient to Him, she started the process. When it comes to who to pick, I guess it’s a real challenge. With my friend, the Lord led her to two brothers who’d been abandoned by their mother. Now, at the of age nine and six, they’ve become my friend’s children.

Thinking about that, it amazes me how the Lord chooses us to be the part of His family, to be His adopted children. It touches me every time when I think how the Lord searches the earth, looking for the ones He wants to draw to Himself, ‘For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His’ (Chronicles16:9). And when He saw us, He didn’t pass us by, but drew to us to Himself by His love. He chose us to be part of His family.

But adopting a child comes with some challenges, as the child is used to the absence of the parents in his life. That reality has shaped his way of thinking, his way of dealing with problems and conflicts, and his ability or inability to receive love. The amount of time ‘new’ parents must spend trying to undo the harm done by pouring love into an adopted child is huge.

As I see my friend constantly showing the boys love, by teaching them simple things they’ve never seen before, such as how food is cooked and how to use the fridge, and just being patient when they have a difficult day, it speaks to me of the love our Lord has for us. He knows where we’ve come from, what’s been done to us, and the things we’ve done. He knows we sometimes feel out of place trying to fit into His heavenly family, and we need the time to adapt. He doesn’t rush us, but is patient, and, above all, so loving. His love gives us the security we’ve always longed for.

I’m so grateful for the great privilege of being adopted by the Lord. And as He receives us into His family, He starts putting in the love and compassion we might have never received in life. He starts to rebuild us, into the image He originally created us to be. And as my friend rejoices in the progress her boys make in school and in life, so our Heavenly Father rejoices in our achievements. He backs us up with His support, and encourages us that we can do well in life, as His plans are to prosper us and not to harm us. May this truth bless you today as you meditate on it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your great love for me. Thank You for adopting me into Your family. Help Me to fully grasp what is means to be Your child, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yulia Kariuki was born in Russia and studied translation and interpretation as her profession. She joined Ellel Ministries in 2009, after graduating from university. The same year she met her husband and Bernard and Yulia served on team for many years both in Scotland and at Ellel Grange.

 

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