An Adoption Story

Perhaps that is why I am so moved by stories of adoption—especially when it involves disabilities. Not long ago I learned of the Grabowski family and their remarkable journey of adoption. The Grabowskis were living the American Dream. Two kids, owning a home… they had found their sweet spot in life. But they wondered if adoption might complete their little family. It was five long years from the time they began the adoption paperwork until a little girl’s profile was matched to them. So much time had passed, they were ready to take any child, no matter if there were special needs.

Still, they were not prepared for the photo of the little girl that arrived in their inbox. Platinum hair, pale eyes… a child with albinism. They traveled to China to bring home Lily, and were surprised at how “right” it felt to have her in their family. Their adoption story would be remarkable if it ended there, but over the next few years, the Grabowskis adopted four more children; three with albinism and all with special needs.

The fact that there is a need for adoption grieves my heart, but each story of adoption proves to be an illustration of the Redemption Story. So this month, as November is National Adoption Awareness Month, take time to reflect on your own adoption story, of how “you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children” (Romans 8:15). It’s a story that will lead you right into Thanksgiving.

An Adoption Story One of the most beautiful images of the position we have before God is that of adoption. Galatians 4:5 says, “God sent him [Jesus] to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.”

Perhaps that is why I am so moved by stories of adoption—especially when it involves disabilities. Not long ago I learned of the Grabowski family and their remarkable journey of adoption.

The Grabowskis were living the American Dream. Two kids, owning a home… they had found their sweet spot in life. But they wondered if adoption might complete their little family. It was five long years from the time they began the adoption paperwork until a little girl’s profile was matched to them. So much time had passed, they were ready to take any child, no matter if there were special needs. Still, they were not prepared for the photo of the little girl that arrived in their inbox.

Platinum hair, pale eyes… a child with albinism. They traveled to China to bring home Lily, and were surprised at how “right” it felt to have her in their family. Their adoption story would be remarkable if it ended there, but over the next few years, the Grabowskis adopted four more children; three with albinism and all with special needs.

The fact that there is a need for adoption grieves my heart, but each story of adoption proves to be an illustration of the Redemption Story. So this month, as November is National Adoption Awareness Month, take time to reflect on your own adoption story, of how “you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children” (Romans 8:15). It’s a story that will lead you right into Thanksgiving.

–Joni Eareckson Tada