Adopted for Life

On December 28th, 2012, we had the immense joy and privilege of officially welcoming our daughter (Eliana Hope) into the Parker family! It was such an beautiful day, and we are so thankful for those who came out to fill the courtroom with their love and support. We have been humbled by God's grace these last 4 months, and we are rejoicing in the story that He continues to unfold in and through our lives!

I couldn’t help but be struck afresh that day by what God has done for us by adopting us into His family. I love the fact that Eliana had nothing to do with her adoption. Now she not only is a permenant part of the Parker family, but I particularly love how our decree of adoption words the transaction. It says that the state of Washington “is authorized to issue a new birth certificate, indicating that the child is the natural child of the petitioners(!)” So, not only does Eliana get to join the family, but legally, her birth certificate will list us as the birth parents. As if she was blood!

I don’t know of a more beautiful picture of what God has done for those who place their faith in Him. In the same way we wanted Eliana to be a apart of our family before she was even born, Eph 1:4 says that, "He (God) chose us before the foundations of the world" to be in Him. Then, in the same way we entered into the legal binding agreement to adopt Eliana, Jesus purchases us with his blood and adopts us into his family (Eph 1:5). Removing all of our past sin and history, and giving us His righteousness, a new name, a new identity, a new family!

There’s nothing that Eliana can do or say that will change how we love and feel about her, and that she's now a part of our family. In the same way, no matter what I feel like tomorrow morning when I wake up, I’ve been adopted by the King! I can know that God loves me, delights in me, and has my best, because He died for me to bring me into a right relationship with Him! (1 Jn 3:16) How awesome is that?!

There’s so many parallels that I continue to process, but one last one for now; In the same way when the judge asked us if we’ll take care of Eliana for the rest of our lives, God makes the same covenant with us. When I’m tempted to sin, and the enemy would love to tell me that I’m an orphan, an alien, and a stranger (Eph 2:10), I can cling to the promises of God. That I’m adopted for life, that he loves me, will never leave me or forsake me (Heb 13:5), and that He’s working ALL things out for my good, and His glory (Rom 8:28). He just lovingly and patiently continues to invite me to trust Him. Trust that He’s not only a good Dad, but a perfect Father. (Matt 6:31-34)

Michelle and I are deeply thankful and humbled by God’s grace and the story that He is writing. Even through 11 years of infertility, we can rejoice today not only because he gave us a baby, but because He’s chosen and adopted us for life! We are praying that Jesus will be made to look as good as He is through our lives and the little girl he has entrusted to us!

Adopted by the King,
David and Michelle

Rom 8:15-17 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…"

If you want to learn more on theology of adoption, I would highly recommend reading "Adopted for Life" by Russel Moore.