Julianne's 13th Birthday - 10/3

How fitting for our daughter's 13th birthday to post her devotional that was presented at her adoption shower, written by Angie O'Connell.

Adoption according to Webster's 1828 dictionary is "the treating of a stranger as one's own child and heir". It is also according to Webster "God's taking the sinful children of men into His favor and protection". Let me repeat these two definitions and this time I will follow them with Ephesians 2:19. Adoption is "the taking and treating of a stranger as one's own child and heir." It is "God's taking the sinful children of men into His favor and protection." "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are of God's household."

On May 3rd, 1997 Julianne Grace was, unknown to her, beginning the process of no longer being a stranger to her family. She providentially found favor in the eyes of her parents, Joseph and JoAnn, not because she was conceived by them and born to the but because of their deep desire to parent and God's leading them to her photo in the books containing the photos of many children needing homes. The love lavished on this particular child is a picture of the love God lavishes on us through the riches of His grace. The adoption metaphor is a compelling illustration of God's covenant love for His people. Through the adoption of Julianne the Tolentino's are experiencing a small piece of this. The transfer and grafting of this child into her permanent family is a wonderful image of our permanent place in our Heavenly Father's family.

First Peter 1:23-25 states "...you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flowers of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls odd, but the Word of the LORD abides forever, and this is the Word which was preached to you." Some perceive that adoption is "second best" as a way to build or add to a family. Some even go as far as to say that an adopted child has no part of the covenant, but God's word clearly states that the physical is perishable. No matter who we are born to it is His Word alone living and abiding in us that causes us to have life eternal.

John Calvin states "God's covenant was not made to last only fro a few days, or for a short time. When He adopted the children of Abraham, He took them under His keeping forever." Romans 8 in discussing those who are the descendants of Abraham says "It is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants."

What a cause for joy to know that in God's love in choosing us that places us as heirs in His eternal family with all the rights and privileges! As we watch Julianne grow in her new earthly family she is a tangible picture of these spiritual realities.

JoAnn, we rejoice with you in the addition of Julianne to your family. We thank God for His abundant blessing to you. He has provided for you above all that you could ever have asked or dreamed for. Let us be diligent to pray for the Tolentinos that by His grace God would lavish His adopting love on their new little daughter and that they would be faithful to raise all their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Our God is an awesome God and we rejoice to see Him move and work in our midst in such a joyous and marvelous way!

Love in Christ,
Angie O'Connell
July 12, 1997

And now, this sweet little crazy baby is 13 years old! She is sweet, caring, unselfish, rambunctious, and loves truth.
This video is her and her friends singing "Praise to the Lord All Ye Nations" in the hot tub! How fitting!