Maurice Griffin is a 32 year old California man and he was adopted last Friday by his long lost foster mother. He has quite a story to tell…

It seems that back in the 1980’s he was in an orphanage in the Sacramento area. Lisa Godbold and her husband felt that the young boy would fit well in their family, so they took him in as a foster child. He flourished in their home and soon developed lasting bonds with the Godbolds.

Through a whole series of tragic events, young Griffin was removed from that loving environment and quickly went downhill. His behavior deteriorated, his performance in school sank and he was bounced from foster home to foster home.

All he really wanted was to return to the Godbolds. But during that time, Mr. Godbold died, Lisa remarried and moved away. And yet, Griffin continued to search for her. Six years ago, he connected the dots on social media and found her. Their bond of love had not weakened, so in spite of his age, Griffin requested that she formally adopt him. With just a few strokes of a pen, 32 year old Maurice Griffin was finally the official adopted son of Lisa Godbold!

All of us who are believers in Jesus Christ can imagine how he felt. Those same strong feelings of connection, purpose and belonging are an integral part of the Christian’s life. Through the redemptive sacrifice of Christ, we too have been adopted into the family of God.

One of my favorite passages in the book of John says “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on His name.” What a promise. We exchange our sinfulness for a permanent adoption into the family of God. And like Griffin, it can happen at any age.

This week, think about our adopted relationship with God. It is personal, warm and lasting. On the basis of Christ’s finished work on the cross, we get to relate to God as sons and daughters. Romans chapter 8 notes that that spirit of adoption allows us to cry out, “Abba Father” (a personal Aramaic term that might be translated “Papa” or “Daddy”). He is our Dad and cares for us deeply as an earthly Dad might do.

I am very grateful to be adopted. How about you?

By His Grace and for His Glory,
Sherry L. Worel