Adoption: Why?

Because we’ve devoted our lives to the gospel, the good news of God.

That doesn’t mean we have to adopt. But we want to. And we’re guessing you’ll want to help us. And we’re hoping that by doing so we’re all sharing in the gospel. 

The story of that good news is one reaches across past, present, and future.

Adoption in Our Past

Adoption has been the good news from the beginning (from even before the beginning!) because God predestined that all of us should be adopted in Christ. I like the way The Message explains that scripture from the opening chapter of Ephesians:

Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.

Adoption has been an integral part of our families’ histories as well. Elizabeth’s brother Gabe joined the Shehane family via adoption. Michael’s mom, Karen, was the long-time state director for an adoption agency. 

Adoption in Our Present

Adoption isn’t just an event that happened to someone in the past. It’s an ongoing gift by which we’re able to cry out, “Father!” That heart cry is free from fear, and it is full of faith that we are indeed loved by another. 

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption … by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15–16)

We’re making ourselves available in the present to share this faith, hope, and love. 

Adoption in Our Future

Our hope is fueled by a future, fully realized life in the Father’s house. It is the promise of the good news of Jesus:

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places … I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

We don’t know the future, so we don’t know how—or by how many—God will grow our family. But we do know that He can make it possible through your generosity and genuine support of this adoption. We hope you’ll share in this future. It’s really a share in eternity.