The Journey of Adoption
By Gary Piper of Fort Gratiot, MI, USA
Do not be discouraged. You have not been promised an easy path, but you have been assured that the Spirit that calls you will also accompany you. —Doctrine and Covenants 162:3a
Journeying through life are children who have become victims of circumstances beyond their control. They find themselves in the foster care system. Those who volunteer as foster parents are loving and kind, and we deeply appreciate them.
Sometimes the foster care routine strips children of their dignity, home, and family. Many times the system forces them to live with mistrust, fear, and hopelessness. They journey through life hungering for love, acceptance, peace, and adoption. Adoption is a journey not only for the child but also for the prospective parents.
This is often like the journey of all of us. We separate ourselves from God and estrange ourselves from our Divine Parent. As a result we journey through the dark, living lives of pain, hopelessness, and loneliness. We search for, but are not aware of, the love of our Creator. Wandering aimlessly, we find ourselves thrust into the temporary care of pride, possessions, prestige, and power. In their wake, a deep hunger for our holy family still plagues us. We find ourselves in search of our way home.
Our Divine Parent sent Jesus to walk all sides of human existence—to light its path, to give us release from pain, to bring us hope, and to give us a sense of belonging. Moving purposely through life, Jesus exposes the futility of pride, the misdirected need for possessions, the shallowness of prestige and power. Jesus adopts the role of our advocate and liaison with our Creator.
We redirect our journey with compassion and love as we see the path home opening before us. Christ signs our adoption decree with sacrificial love. We find ourselves surrounded by his loving community. Spread the word, “Eternal love welcomes another child into our home.”
Prayer for Peace
Loving Parent, help us remember it takes a village to raise a child. As your children, all of us become separated from you sometimes. Help us find one another and find our way home to peace.
Spiritual Practice: Offering Blessings of Community
Receive and share Blessings of Community. Begin with a prayer of gratitude for the friendships in your life. See and feel connections with family members, spiritual friends, people in your congregation and community, and people and creatures in God’s sacred web of life. What blessings flow to you from these circles? How have you felt the love of the community?
Peace Covenant
Today, God, I will give any extra gently-used suitcases or backpacks to the local division of family services (or foster care agency). Often the belongings of foster children are carried in trash bags, which sends a negative message of worth (according to my social worker sister).
