When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son . . . to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:4-6)

Friends recently sent us a video of their daughter barreling down a hall and shouting as her father came through the door, “Daddy, you’re home!”

The inexpressible joy of this child was so evident, but the back story on this family is not. Feeling called to adopt a child, the parents found themselves in a nation where girls were not wanted, particularly those with physical disfigurement.

When the little girl’s orphanage allowed an outing so these prospective parents could get to know her, glares and snide comments came from many passersby. The cruelties made the couple even more conscious of the needs of the child and more convinced they wanted her. 

Such love for the unloved expressed by these sweet parents was the gospel of grace written on their hearts. God has so loved us. When our souls were disfigured by sin that would seem to disqualify us from God’s affection, he came to save us and to make us part of his family. Such grace should make us run to our Heavenly Father and delight in pleasing him.

Prayer:

Father, you adopted me as your child even though there was nothing beautiful in me. May your love for the unlovely cause me to delight in you and make evident to all the beauty of your grace by how I also love others.