Joseph: Adoptive Father, Faithful Father part 2
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Once more Joseph receives a dream from God. In Matthew 2:13-15 Joseph is told how to protect the child. Joseph, although not the natural father, was the legal father and responsible for his safety and well-being. Once more Joseph was receptive to God's guidance and he obeyed. He took Mary and the child to Egypt. There God enabled him to provide for his family.
Is it too much to believe that God will enable us to provide for our children? As a single parent I too have experienced moments of financial concern but God has always provided for us. What He has done in the past I am sure He will do in the future. These precious children are His and He will continue to give us guidance in providing for them.
Again God appeared to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 2:19-23) revealing to him to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel. Joseph immediately returned. But on the way he learned that the new king Archelaus was a violent man. It certainly must have troubled him. Once more God revealed to Joseph in a dream to go to Galilee and live in Nazareth. This fulfilled a prophecy concerning the Messiah. Joseph once more obeyed.
Yes, Joseph's life is an inspiration to those of us who have adopted that being obedient to the guidance we have from God leads to more guidance from Him. Social position is of little importance when God chooses to use you. It is all about parenting with integrity and walking in humbleness with our God throughout all of the parenting stages.
We do not know how long Joseph lived as Jesus' earthly father. He is last mentioned when Jesus was twelve years old. But Joseph trained his son in the trade of carpentry and made sure that he had spiritual training in Nazareth. He also took the whole family on the yearly trip to Jerusalem for the Passover which Jesus continued to observe during his adult years.
Joseph was faithful to God. Could it be that that is all we really need today as adoptive parents? To model a life of consistent faithfulness and obedience to God.
This Christmas may the life of Joseph inspire and encourage you. God still longs to reveal Himself. He still desires to give parents guidance. He still wants us to grow in dependence and trust in Him. There is nothing to fear when we walk with Him.
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Joseph: Adoptive Father, Faithful Father
Saturday, December 20, 2008
One moment that I will never forget no matter how long I live is the moment when I walked out of the orphanage in Borivichy, Russia carrying my precious little seven month old daughter in my arms. She slept soundly while I drew her blanket wrapped body closer to me to shield her from the cold December winds. It was midnight on Christmas Eve and God had given me my heart's longing. A child to parent for Him.
Although the snowflakes were gently falling around me and others in the group of newly adopting parents were unaware, I knew that it was a God moment. And my heart sang. But along with the song was also an awareness of the huge responsibility I now had. I knew that I needed God's help to parent this child.
At Christmastime my thoughts frequently turn to the time of Jesus birth. Was Joseph gripped by that same kind of overflowing awe and thanksgiving? Did he draw Mary close to his side as they gazed at their newborn son? What was there in Joseph that God chose him to be his earthly father? What can I learn from him?
These questions and more have prompted me to read and research. As an adoptive parent my curiosity and interest in the character of Joseph is great. He knew what it was to parent a child that he did not father. But did he ever wonder? Did he ever feel inadequate? Did he ever doubt his own abilities? Did he ever gaze into the night sky wondering how he would do it?
We may never know the answers to these questions but we can grasp some insight into his character by noting the pattern of his actions.
Joseph is first mentioned in Matthew 1: 18-25. He is referred to as being a righteous man. Because Mary and Joseph were betrothed, Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a social stigma. According to Jewish civil law Joseph had the right to divorce her and the authorities could have stoned Mary. He was faced with an extremely difficult choice.
But according to scripture God appeared to him in a dream revealing for him to marry Mary and that her child would be the Messiah. This could have been humiliating for him but he chose to obey God. His actions reveal not only his strong principles but also his sensitivity and self discipline. They also indicate Joseph's responsiveness to God. He was a man of integrity who was willing to do God's will no matter what.
Although others may have disapproved with his decision Joseph went ahead with what he knew was right. How many times as an adoptive parent I have needed to make decisions for my children which are not always met with approval. School decisions, discipline, setting healthy boundaries, etc. are not always easy to make. Joseph's example is an encouragement to parents to obey God rather than to seek approval of others
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A Christmas Prayer of Parents Who Are Adopting
Sunday, December 14, 2008
"I can hardly wait for Christmas," she said eagerly over the phone. I was talking with one of my coaching clients who is in the process of adopting from Kazakhstan.
"I find myself imagining her stocking hanging by the fireplace. What joy it will be to have her and hold her!" Her voice went on describing the anticipated joys of parenting her adopted daughter and most of all, sharing her very first Christmas.
My heart beat excitedly with hers. This summer she and her husband will hopefully travel halfway across the world to meet their little daughter and bring her home. Their prayers this Christmas continue to focus on this special child whom they have not even seen yet but trust that God is providing. At this moment she is probably born and growing. They pray for her care and for those attending to her needs until they will be able to adopt her.
This couple represents many others who wait this year trusting that by next Christmas there will be another stocking hanging in their home. A simple stocking. A precious life.
There are many children who wait for their forever families. Some are here in the United States. Some wait abroad.
My youngest has been going around the house lately singing a simple song we created. I have yet to find the time to write it down but the chorus goes like this:
I'm adopted
I'm adopted
I belong to the living Lord.
He loved me and He held me and He called me His own.
Christmas is a time when the needs of orphans call to us. One more stocking? Maybe you can consider adopting a child or if not that maybe you can contribute to the needs of an orphan in other ways. First pray about it and then whatever God leads you to do, do it. You will never regret it.
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My Other Daughter
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Adoption changed my life. In 1993 when I adopted my daughter from Russia, I had no idea what a life changing experience it would be. She has taught me so much about the power of love. Then when I adopted my second daughter from Russia in 2003 I learned about the joys and challenges of raising siblings. I've learned about the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. It hasn't always been easy but it's been so good.
But there is always more, isn't there. A few years ago my girls and I talked about ways that we could continue to give. After considering various options we finally decided to sponsor a child through World Vision. You can read more about them at www.worldvision.org. We chose a little girl in India who has my birthday to support. Each month we send money so that she can receive an education. Other times during the year we send cards, bookmarks, etc.
Christmas was still a few weeks away when we decided to shop for Sayli. Oh what fun we had buying a beautiful lavender velour pants and jacket set, a locket, a long candy necklace, etc. Together we wrapped our simple gifts and put them in a box. Together we took the box to the post office and mailed it all the way to India. As we walked back to the car that day we all agreed that sending something to Sayli made Christmas for us.
Well the days have gone by. At night I imagine her getting the Christmas box and opening it. I can see her unwrapping each gift and dancing with delight. Yes, sometimes I can almost imagine her walking around wearing the lavender pants and jacket outfit.
It seems so small, doesn't it but in reality it is so big. To spend the time to reach out and care for my other daughter is so rewarding. If you are considering a family project please look into sponsoring a child. It takes so little to make a big difference.
Yes, just blogging about this gives me joy. Why, we are considering adding another child to our family. Yes, a child that we will sponsor each month. Won't you?
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