People often assume that my husband and I couldn’t have any more kids after our two sons were born, and that’s why we adopted Phoebe Min-Ju Jayne from South Korea. They would be wrong. As far as I know, we were probably able to have an Amish-sized hoard of biological kids. But we didn’t want that. We wanted to adopt.
Why? There were many reasons, one of which is that I am adopted myself and believe in it wholeheartedly. There is something about being the adopted mama to an adopted girl that glimmers with insights for my own story — insights I wouldn’t have realized had we stuck with our two-kid plan. But when we had Ezra, our second boy, we realized we weren’t done, and this realization took us across the globe to Seoul and a daughter we loved before we ever met.
We didn’t know then, in sweltering, exotic Seoul, what we know now, 10 years later. We didn’t know how profoundly our views of the world and God would change. And we know that not being able to have kids may be a big reason people adopt, but it’s not the only one.
We’ve learned that adoption is an intensely Christian concept, even though tons of non-believers have adopted. It is a doctrine shot through with grace and redemption. But what makes it so? What is the Christian way to think about adoption?
Here are 8 ways adoption can be a spiritual endeavor, not just as a solution to childlessness:
1. The early church modeled adoption.
In the early AD days of the Roman Empire, infanticide was rampant. It was easier and safer (for the mother) than abortion. Babies (mostly girls) were brought to the outskirts of the city where they would die of exposure or be killed by animals. The early Christians rose up in righteous indignation, rescuing and adopting the babies in droves.
2. Adoption illustrates God’s love for us.
The Father’s devotion abounds as He brings us out of our past circumstances, embraces us as his own adopted children, and protects us, even unto his own death. We will always be sons and daughters of the King. Our identity rests in his safekeeping. His adoption of us defines us as “beloved.”
3. Adoption opens our eyes to God’s heart toward us.
Through adoption, we understand as never before the depth and constancy of God’s love. Like we pursued Phoebe through adoption, and claim her as our own deeply loved child, our Father pursues us, claims us, and never turns his back on us.
4. As God is the helper of the orphan, so we can be through adoption.
God promises shelter, help, and resources for those who cannot protect themselves. He invites us into this sacred work of helping orphans through feeding them, caring about their lives, and righting their wrongs. Adoption won’t solve the global orphan crises, but it will solve one orphan’s crises. His eye is on the sparrow — and ours can be, too.
5. Adoption is practicing pure religion.
James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
6. God does not leave us as orphans — should we do less?
John 14:18 says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” What are the implications for us as believers? Adoption means we are not leaving children behind as orphans, we are coming for them in a tangible way.
7. Adoption gives us the opportunity to be ‘father to the fatherless.’
Orphans are mentioned in the Bible 42 times, always in regards to someone who doesn’t have a father. That has interesting propositions for today’s culture, which sags under the weight of widespread fatherlessness. How can we be there for the fatherless like God is? How can we model his care?
8. Adoption shows us that God loves all of us the same.
The love is the same — it really is. I’m so glad I have the chance, as a bio mom and an adoptive one, to compare the way I feel about my boys and the way I feel about my girl. Because now I know for sure there is no difference. Adopting teaches us anew that God delights in, sings over, and cares tenderly for each of his children in the same way. As believers, we are all adopted, and therefore, nothing can separate us from his love.
By Lorilee Craker
