Yesterday I was doing research as to what are some of the legalities that take place after an adoption- what things will change. I learned two things that gave me another perspective on what adoption means not only legally but biblically from which the desire to adopt is seared into my heart.
When the adoption is completed, Joy will have a new birth certificate and a new last name.
I'm floored to think how this compares to our spiritual adoption by God. When we believe in Jesus for our salvation and accept Him as our Savior we are considered to be born again and that day marks our spiritual birth date. Not only do we now bear His name- Christian- but we are also adopted into the family of God. He promises to give us a new name written on a white stone in the New Jerusalem, when there will be a new heaven and new earth- the city of our God (Revelation 3). What that name is only He knows but I know that it is one I will be looking forward to hearing.
My heart truly began to beat faster when I realized that - my name will be on her birth certificate as her Mother. She will have a new last name- mine. I totally didn't expect that. I didn't expect her to call me Mommy since she had a relationship with her biological parents. I thought more like Tiff - I would be her M2- Mommy #2. She will become my Daughter - not born of the flesh but in my heart by His Spirit. It's the beginning of a new life, not physically but spiritually and relationally. Like Nicodemus, asking Jesus how can a man be born again since he can't enter back into his mother's womb? Legalistic thinking makes us believe that if things are not done a certain way that is acceptable by the law, then how can it be? Jesus said that if a man is not born again he can not enter the kingdom of God.
This journey into single motherhood means that I am not going the legalistic, expected route of marriage then children. Not that I don't want to be married- but my maternal instinct really doesn't have a timetable- something I have known forever. Neither does it mean that I don't want my children to have a father in their lives- I believe a male influence is priceless. I am a role model and a mother figure to so many others. I have had student mentees ever since my first year teaching- Steph, Saina, Lyndsey, Tiff, and One-sha. Each have been significant long term relationships that are still a part of my life. I have 6 godchildren, 3 nieces, and 1 brand new nephew. I take care of the most amazing 1 yr old who lights up my day everyday.
This then is a natural progression- I've been an "other/second" mother for 17 1/2 years- now I'm ready to be Joy's mother for the rest of her life. It's like she was planted in my heart back then and we are finally meeting. If her birthday is May 1994, then she would have been conceived Aug 1993- my first year teaching. WOW!
All I can say is that God is in this and I'm gonna step aside and watch Him unfold things before me.
No comments:
Post a Comment