She was little
fragile
needy
utterly dependent.
At the airport that morning
a dear sweet lady
handed her to us.
She looked up
bright
but unknowing
little grasp of the
cataclysmic drama of love
of this amazing moment.
I looked down
eyes filled with tears
hands trembling
as I held her close.
There could not have been
more love in my heart
she was ours
we were hers
family forever
she didn’t earn her way in
she couldn’t dis-earn her way out.
Our love would be far from
perfect
but she was
Adopted
our home, her home
our lives, her life
our name, her name
what was done in that moment
would not be undone.

So much beauty packed in one
moment.

God holds me close
his hand untrembling
I look up, often unknowing
the height
the depth
the breadth
of his perfect Fatherly love.
Adopted
family forever
so much beauty
in one sacrificial life
that made it possible.
I did not earn my way in
I cannot dis-earn my way out
I am now known
by his name.
What was decided
before time began
would never be undone.
I am his and
he is mine.
Grace makes
the King of kings
my Father
and his Savior Son
my brother
forever.

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, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

God bless,

Paul David Tripp

Reflection Questions

1. When was the last time you intentionally celebrated the spiritual reality that you have been adopted by grace? How can you make a point of doing that this week? What blessings (and attitude changes) might result?

2. What are some of the dangers of forgetting that you have been adopted, or at least neglecting to celebrate it? What attitudes might replace gratitude and humility?

3. How did you demonstrate your child-like dependence this week? In what ways spiritually do you still need the care and protection of a parent?

4. Do you struggle with feelings of security or belonging? Are you tempted to think that you can dis-earn your way out of God’s family or sin your way out of his grace?

5. How can “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” change the way you act this week? Be specific. Think of a struggle, temptation, or opportunity that you might face and how your eternal inheritance can change the way you respond right here, right now.