Adoption by Gary Rose

Beautiful family, isn't it? The pups are the same color as my dog "Pal", so I imagine that is what his parents looked like. We have never seen Pal's biological family, so this picture made me wonder about them. One thing is for sure- Pal is a miniature poodle and the dogs in the picture are standard sized. 

This past July Pal turned nine, which means we have had him four years. With each passing year he becomes more and more the perfect pet (forgive me, I am prejudiced). His history is that of a stud dog- caged, except for servicing the females. It has taken years for him to overcome his past abuse, but for a year or so all signs of the overwhelming fear he had when we first adopted him are gone.

Like Pal, I have a biological family and an adopted one. Most of my biological family is still living and many of my adopted family (the church) are as well.

I can only tell you that being spiritually adopted is wonderful, for all Christians have the same spiritual blessings. This world is different with God in my life and I am quite sure that you will say "AMEN" to the following passage....

Romans, Chapter 8 (WEB)

  ¹² So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  ¹³ For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.  ¹⁵ For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 

  ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;  ¹⁷ 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 with him. 

  ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.  ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.  ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.  ²³ Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.  ²⁴ For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?  ²⁵ But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. 

Christians are in this world, but not of it. We enjoy being here, but also long to be with God in heaven. We are the blessed: now and forever. We currently have physical bodies, but await heavenly bodies. Life here on earth may be difficult at times, but because of Christ, we have the hope of heaven.

Life is beautiful. Think about that- and about your adopted status. Who knows, you may just grow closer to your adopted pet- I will!!!

PS. By the way, notice that this couple had 11 pups- big family. Humm, I wonder how many Christians there are in the world???