A child of God
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
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See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are (1 John 3:1).
I learned a lot about parenting during my years of working in adoptions and foster care. I learned about the grief of couples unable to achieve a pregnancy and women and men signing consent forms to relinquish their children. I witnessed and shared in the joy of couples who became parents when a child was placed with them for adoption. I walked alongside foster parents who committed to caring for a child who was not their own. Often, this commitment, and love for the child, was sorely tested when a child acted out their grief and anger about what had happened to them. Sometimes the most hurtful thing that a child could say was, ‘Don’t tell me what to do. You’re not my real mum or dad!’
I have also been part of the celebration when a child is placed for adoption. I hold dear the memory of a new father holding a little baby for the first time and saying, ‘So you’re my son’. I have also seen the joy of all parties when a foster placement becomes permanent through the adoption process.
Adoption means the adoptee becomes a part of the family and has equal rights a child born into the family would have. At the time of adoption, a new birth certificate is issued with the details of the adoptive parents included on it.
Taking someone else’s child into your home is not always easy! It takes a lot of love, patience and commitment from everybody concerned, particularly the new parents.
Isn’t it a bit like this with our Heavenly Father? He lovingly takes us into his family through baptism. We are children of God. God will never reject us. But sadly, some people choose to leave God’s family, which grieves God, as well as the members of God’s family here on earth.
Let’s celebrate God’s love and enthusiastically claim our place in God’s family with our fellow children of God. That’s who we are.
Loving God, thank you for taking us into your care and making us your children. Help us grow to be more like you and see you in other people. Thank you for forgiving our sins and keeping us in your family. Amen.
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