What Does Adoption Really Mean?

Word definitions fascinate me and when I am curious about a word or topic, I often go to a dictionary to clarify my thoughts.  

Adoption has been on my mind and in my heart because Farm Chick and EJ have now successfully adopted twice (See Farm Chick's posts here: Blessed is Me and Happy Adoption Day).  They were set to adopt one other time when the birth mom chose to parent her precious little one.  (You can read about Baby C here if you like.)

I went to the dictionary as I thought about this post and found the definition of adopt:  to bring a person into a specific relationship, especially to take another's child as one's own child.

As we witnessed Baby D's adoption finalization recently, EJ was called to the stand and asked questions by the lawyer representing them to the judge.  The questions and answers are recorded in court records and help the judge to discern whether or not the adoption should be granted.  One of the questions stands out now in my mind and I paraphrase:  

Do you understand that if this adoption is granted, this child will be entitled to all the rights and privileges of your biological children?

The question might seem strange if you are not familiar with the process of adoption; but the court must clarify that the decision to adopt is a HUGE decision.  

In a perfect world, relationships would last forever once they begin and no one would suddenly decide to stop loving and giving.  I am forever grateful that God has adopted His children forever and that He never changes His mind about us.  

Ephesians 1:3-8 says, "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. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us."  And then verses 11-12, "In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory."

Enjoy a few pictures of Baby D's adoption finalization...he is now ours!

Aunt DW meets Baby D for the first time!
She surprised the family by driving from Indiana to Kansas to celebrate with us!

Sweet Baby D hears from his mommy how things are going to go.

An honorary Auntie has been added for Baby D.
She is also known as Pop's and Grammy's niece and cousin to the four sisters.

Pop and Grammy celebrated Baby D's adoption finalization...he is our 14th grandbaby!!

The Growing Table family as of now - they look so handsome and beautiful!
In February 2014, they are expecting their sixth child...
he is hiding in Farm Chick's tummy until then.  Good stuff.