THE NEW FAMILY by Marge Melendez

“You are members of God’s very own family . . . and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.”   Ephesians 2:19 (LB)

In the year 1944 an unwed mother, 27 years old, working as a photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle and engaged to an Army officer was at a crossroad.  During her pregnancy, she received notification via Western Union that her fiancé would not be coming home.  She had only a short time to decide about the future of the child she was carrying.  She turned to her older sister for advice and together they decided that the best interest of the child would be served if a Christian family were found to adopt the child.  The sister had knowledge of just such a Seventh Day Adventist couple who were still childless after eight years of marriage.  An attorney was quickly employed to process the appropriate paperwork.

Just eleven days after the birth of this redheaded baby girl, she was taken to her new home and bathed in the love of her new parents.  The example set by these godly adoptive parents gave her every benefit of their knowledge and love of God.  She was immersed in their extended families and was provided the financial support that confirmed their intention to make her a permanent member of the family.  

 Elementary schoolmates would often ask the little red-haired girl, “How does it feel to be adopted?”  She would always answer: “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that I was chosen.”   

This girl’s story reminds us of our Savior’s history.  Christ’s royal lineage came through his adoptive father.  When we accept Jesus as Savior, we are a part of a new family.  We shouldn’t be surprised at the profound significance with which God views our adoption. In a peculiar kind of way, God the Father allowed His Son to be adopted into a family on earth so that we could be adopted into His heavenly family.

 In Ephesians 1:4-6 Paul tells us about God’s view of Adoption, “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace.” Oh the joy of being “chosen”!

 M.M.

 Think about it:  I have a family and Father who calls me His own.