Adoption Day!

This past Tuesday, Kaleb Perez, a ninth grader in our church, was formally adopted by Lou Perez, one of our elders and husband to Janine.  This family has been waiting for this day a long, long time.  Many obstacles had to be overcome along the way, but in the end their dream came true.

Later that same day that Kaleb was adopted, I asked him to recount what was going on in his heart and head as the ceremony was taking place.  Kaleb was delighted to do so.  Here's what he had to say:

This was a wonderful day from the start!  There has been a sense of nervous excitement for a few weeks leading up to today, wondering what good work the Lord was going to do for me and my family. While on the drive we were all nervous and our faith was being tested if we would get there on time! (We ended getting there 45 minutes early.) We got to the court room after being moved around to all five! 

The judge sat us down and was extemely friendly. My nervousness was gone, and I was filled with pure joy and excitement - much like right after I got saved! The judge asked me where I went to school and what I did for friends (because I'm home-schooled). He said that this [ceremony] was the easy part; all the hard work was done. I thought again of my spiritual adoption by my heavenly Father.  Just as before salvation the Lord had already done the difficult work in softening my heart.  (Nothing is too hard for the Lord!)  

As the judge wrote down the date and signed his name, he said that this made the adoption "official and irrevocable."  The same is true when our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  Instantly I was filled with peace, comfort, and an unexplainable warmth and joy - much like holding a warm cup of soup or hot water when you are cold. I felt exactly the way I did the instant I professed my faith in Christ. For me it was standing up and denying pride. "For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Rom. 10:9).  

There was such gladness and comfort in that courtroom! I will never forget it. I have been reminded all day of Romans 8:15-17:  "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."

Now that I am officially adopted, I get all the legal rights that my brothers have as my Dad's children. I also legally have the responsibility of the oldest child. My adoption is so official that they gave me a new birth certificate with my Dad's name on it. I am still filled with joy and excitement, barely able to believe what has taken place - an awesome gift from God.  I have always known that my family loves me, and that no relationship would be changed when I was adopted. For them it may be the same, but not for me!  What I mean to say is that I've always felt at home with my dad, but now i feel like I really BELONG somewhere! I have stepped into my own special place in the family.  I'm a real piece in the puzzle!  It's a special warm feeling that is EXACTLY the way I felt when I got saved a year and a half ago.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful testimony, Kaleb!  We rejoice not only in your adoption this past Tuesday but in the reminder of our own adoption in Christ!  "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!  And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1).