This morning I had the opportunity to take pictures at a very special event. My friends, the VanderGeissen's, finalized the adoption of their baby, Maleah. It was a sweet and special event to be a part of and, it wasn't until i left the building that the significance of what i had experienced, flowed out of me in tears.
You see, the last time I was at an adoption ceremony, it was my own. Forty-five years ago, I was adopted from an agency in Santa Barbara, California. My parents had also given a home to my brothers, six and eight years older than I and then they decided they wanted a girl.
I was two weeks old when they came for me. My dad used to say that I was talking the first time he saw me. I've always wished there was some way to play back the movie and see THAT moment.
I grew up with adoption being my normal. I joined my older brothers in a safe and stable home and extended family. My parents loved God, each other and us. There was never any doubt.
And, probably, as a result, I've never really had an itch to pursue the identity of my birth parents. More recently I have thought about doing it, to say thank you. In the best case scenario, I would have the chance to let some man or woman know, that I was grateful for the choice they made. Forever grateful.
Now, I have had the opportunity to watch this whole story unfold from an entirely different perspective. I've watched Clint and Laura and their three boys wish for their girl, then find her, then the first picture we had of her, then they went across the world to get her and then I was blessed to be at the airport when they landed and today to see them sign papers in front of the judge.
From the outside you might notice she is different from them. There were certainly times growing up when I felt different from my family.
I've also had the opportunity through my friendship with Laura to know a little of how their family has changed as a result of her joining them. I dont know that I'd ever thought of this aspect of my own adoption until today.
But, she fits and belongs, she is loved and appreciated as she is, and she is blessed. As am I.
On my way home, I couldn't get this Scripture out of my head.
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Ephesians 1:5
