In just a few short hours, we'll load A and G into the Suburban and travel 2 hours to gather more evidence to prove to someone out there, that "Yes, Kibrom James, indeed is, Gabriel John Kibrom Laubach. When He crossed US lines, he was a citizen, they tell us, but there's really no way to hypothetically prove he belongs here unless every.single.piece. of paperwork is accurate. (Ah, the world of adoption.) Due to a typographical error, we're still jumping through hoops and fingerprinting our 4 year old to prove he is who we say he is, that he has a new name. That he has the inheritance, obligations, and privileges of James Laubach. And furthermore, he's not only a "permanent resident", he's a "citizen" here. As if he's always belonged here. Yes, in the adoption world there is a difference.
I've scrawled the words "sons of God" in my journal countless times and today I read, when we read "sons of God" in the New Testament, it refers to our adoption. Because of Jesus, we are adopted as "sons of God". Under the law, we were slaves, awaiting adoption.
Jesus.changed.everything.
He was the ransom that allows us to be adopted children of God Almighty. A few tens of thousands of dollars in the adoption world is nothing compared to the priceless blood of Christ, because we can bring a child 7,000 miles, from continent to continent, but only Christ can bring many sons from death to life, slave to child.
Like, Gabriel John Kibrom Laubach, who has been given the Laubach name, we who have been bought with blood, have the inheritance, privileges, and obligations of God. Unlike we fallen, prone to inaccuracy, people, God completes His work perfectly, right down to every drop of blood, nail, and thorn. When He says, It is finished, well then, It.Is.Finished. No need to travel back and forth, complete more paperwork, wonder if it the adoption really went through.
Praying for the completion of the adoption of this son of ours because paperwork really can make you temporarily insane-ask any adoptive mama.
Praying, yes humbly pleading, for those this coming Sunday as siblings gather and heads bow. Adoption taking place in the heavenlies, long before we with finite minds perceive it. Is there anything more joyous, more can-hardly-even-breathe in, than when a child is presented by the Father to the rest of the family?
Praying the tears never stop falling and joy never fades, as one more child joyfully and willingly proclaims, "Yes, I want to be adopted."
Romans 8:19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
