Adoption: Rescued by Choice
Welcome Back… This is Buddy, our little Rescue pup from Michigan. He found us at PetSmart one dreary Saturday morning back in 2006 and stole our hearts immediately. We came to the decision to adopt anew after 2 years had passed. Our previous “rescue” dog, Chaos, went to her final rest after 16 great years. Now we felt ready to begin a new chapter / adventure… this time for a Beagle. On that fateful day at PetSmart, all the dogs presented for adoption ironically were Beagles! This did not take long… Buddy had us at first glance. 🙂 For us, Buddy was a perfect Match. He was a loving and loyal companion that filled our lives with devotion 8 full years… Miss you boy!
Last time, we talked about Adoption and how it touches our lives and our Families. That Adoptions are costly, legal proceedings that prove the love and heart of the Parents for their “chosen” adoptive child. The adoption price only needed to be paid once for all time to gain family rights, privileges, and responsibilities. This is truly a staggering picture of the love God has for each and every one of us as his children, His People! Let’s take a closer look at this process…
The Adopter’s Heart
The reasons that people decide to adopt children are as many and varied as their personal stories. Many experiences can preclude the desire to adopt. This can be due to a Family blending of marriages, challenges of infertility, Parental death, stray children, the list goes on… The intent of Adoption is to “Rescue for a new purpose”. At it’s very core, Adoption is Life renewing, Hope giving. It is redemptive in it’s purpose. To change the course of life and hope for an undesired baby, an abused child, a troubled/despondent teen is truly daunting… but also incredibly rewarding. For this to succeed, there must be a plan and commitment.
The Adopter’s Plan
Commitment to the plan goes beyond the love and emotions of caring. It must include counting the costs now… and in the future. Steps in the plan begin with early visitations, then Court hearings and fees. It also involves preparing a place for our new family member; in our home, our Family, and in our hearts. Depending on age, what are the benefits provided by our Family? What are the “ground rules” expectations? How are the Parents loved, honored and obeyed. Finally, what are the future hopes and dreams that you ponder for your child and all your family? There is a lot to think about and be committed to… yet this is exactly what our Heavenly Father’s heart has done, and will continue to do for us, through our redemptive “adoption” by His Son’s price paid on Calvary for all of us! We are now and forever our Heavenly Father’s sons and daughters through Jesus! (Galatians 4:4-7, )
The Adoptee’s Response
Depending on age, the adopted child’s experience depends a lot upon the past. If adopted at childbirth, then there is somewhat of a “clean slate”; depending upon the background of the biological parents and DNA. With young children or teens, there are indeed challenges and scars to heal. Yet with mutual love, acceptance, respect, and commitment to our Family; there can be an incredible future. A New Beginning has begun… but it takes time, work, connection and lots of love and commitment. Kinda like our “rescued” furry friends, everyone has a back story, but today is the first step to our future…Together.
This redemptive adoption process is exactly how God sees our lives, and has chosen each of us to be His. Before we knew if anyone cared in the midst of our mess, God saw us and put in motion the plan to bring us to Himself and adopt us in to His Family! Long before we ever knew Him, God knew us intimately and chose us to be His own, His Son or Daughter.
One of the things that I love about many “Rescued” animals are the “before and after” pictures. If you have ever adopted a dog or cat you know what I’m saying… if not, check here. The transformation is undeniable! Rescues need a new start, but many are hunkered down with fear, rejection, and abuse. Just as we may have been before God chose us and sent Jesus to pay our redemption price to be adopted into God’s Family as His child. (Romans 8:15-17)
Finally, there’s one trait that runs deep for all “rescues”… it’s their love, appreciation, loyalty and obedience that they shower on their new Rescuer/Owner. They will do most anything to please their Master. The transition for a newly adopted child, family member takes time… along with patience and love, from both parent and child. Next time we will look at this transformational process, and how God desires to share in His relationship with us, as Sons and Daughters of His Kingdom! ♥