National Adoption Day

Text: 

From Vocabulary.com: adoption; Adoption is the act of taking something on as your own. Adoption usually refers to the legal process of becoming a non-biological parent, but it also refers to the act of embracing ideas, habits, or free kittens.

Scripture:  

Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Reflection:

The greatest takeaway from my life as an adopted child is that I was wanted. Period. Not all children grow up thinking that. There is an incredible sense of belonging that comes when you know that you were intended to be right where you are at that exact moment. God works in mysterious ways, I’ve seen. Adoption needs to go two ways for it to truly work. One is knowing you are loved deeply and learning to accept it. The other is knowing you are capable of loving just as deeply, if not more, and learn to do so willingly. The ‘if not more’ comes from my acknowledging my own gratitude towards my birth mother for not making me an abortion statistic. For loving me so much that she gave me a life, a life that God had set before me, even before I was conceived. My birth story was told to me by my mom, over and over again by request, and it goes as follows:

“Your father and I tried to have our own family but God had other plans for us. We waited a long time to adopt a baby. One day, Catholic Social Services called and told us they wanted to bring over our daughter! This was not the normal procedure, but they just knew this was going to be a perfect fit. When they arrived, they put you in my arms. You immediately took my finger and fell asleep. I asked the social worker what your birthday was and she said June 27, two months ago. I was stunned and looked at her and said, “That’s my birthday!”

Later on, I found out that my birth name was the same as my mom’s sister in Romania who she never met. Another time I was about 5 years old and was driven home in tears by the taunts of friends singing, “Nya, Nya, Robbie’s adopted!” I had always been told it was something special. After a good cry and cuddle, my mom dusted me off and sent me back outside to tell my friends that my mom and dad got to pick me, and their mom and dad HAD to take them.  That is exactly what I did and my so-called best girlfriend was so upset that she complained to her mom about what I had said. When her mom got the whole story out of her, she was sent to her room. Her mom and my mom had a good laugh about the whole thing over the fence. My mom was awesome!!

As far as my ‘how I was conceived and why I was placed for adoption’ story goes, it has never really been of any consequence to me. No, I have never tried to contact my birth parents. No, I do not consider them or any of their siblings my family any more than I would a stranger on the street. If they walked into my life tomorrow, I would welcome them with open arms. I have always liked to think that I come from a long line of centenarians with no major health issues. Don’t discount the placebo effect!

To this day, on my birthday, I celebrate both of my mother’s; the one who grew me under her heart so that I could have a life, and the one in whose heart I grew as her beloved daughter. I will never be alone because I have taken my life on as my own, and live it in familial bliss with all God’s children as my destiny.

Prayer:

Thank you dearest God for adopting me as your own. I am so grateful to be unconditionally protected and nurtured by you. Please help me bring this spirit of family to all I meet in life. Please guide our hearts on your path towards family we have yet to meet. Bring peace and contentment to those seeking to adopt new family members, knowing that family is of the heart and soul. 

Focus for the Day:  

I will consciously try to look at all people today as God looks at me; as much beloved family.

Author:  Robbie Sawitski