So Very Thankful for My Adoption

Today I was thinking about the things for which I am thankful and many came to mind. First, I have an identical twin sister, a wonderful blessing that has been mine since before birth. 

Nancy and Karen Brushaber - 1960 

Second, I was raised in a stable Christian home and received a good education. 

Nancy, Paul, Karen, Peter, Dan, Melvin and Ellen Brushaber - 1974

Third, in 1980 God gave me a wonderful husband who loves the Lord and loves me.

Fourth, God has blessed Mark and me with five biological children. 

Melodie, Nancy, Heidi, Mark Jared, John-Mark and Nathan - 2003

Fifth, two years ago, after two and a half years in our home as a foster child, Mark and I were able to adopt into our family a new son, Jonah. 

And it was through Jonah's adoption I have come to understand the thing for which I am the very most thankful. My own adoption. 

According to the Bible I am an adopted child of God. My status as His child carries profound implications for my daily life and my eternal future.

1. As God's adopted child, He finds pleasure in me. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6

Jonah is dearly loved. I have absolutely no desire for anything but the best for him. If I, being a mere mortal, can love an adopted child with such passion, I insult God to assume His love for His adopted child, me, is less than my love for Jonah. 

2. As God's adopted child, He disciplines me in love. 

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

If Jonah is misbehaving in a group of misbehaving children, I don't discipline the others. I discipline Jonah. He is my son and it is my responsibility. That's a good thing, as is God's loving discipline of me.


3. As God's adopted child, I share in Jesus' inheritance. 

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “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 joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:15-17

Jonah, along with his five siblings, is an heir of all Mark and I own. But unlike Jonah, who can't count on too much from us, I as an adopted child of God am a coheir with Jesus Christ. Needless to say, the implications are profound.


4. As God's adopted child, I became sister to many new siblings.

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:48-50

Jonah's adoption brought him into a world peopled with new brothers and sisters. I, too, as a result of our adoption to a common Parent, have many adopted siblings. As Jonah's siblings enrich his life, these spiritual siblings greatly enrich mine.

So this Thanksgiving, above all else, I praise God for my adoption into His family and all that entails. Long after the holiday meal has been eaten and the dishes washed and put away, may I continue to thank God for this most amazing gift.

Jared, Nancy, Mark and Jonah