George was adopted into our family as an unexpected gift. It was
a head-over-heals love-at-first sight for me. I can’t even begin to explain it – it’s a
rodent we are talking about! Then the
kids saw him and that sealed the deal.
My husband being out of town might have helped just a little bit,
because he is the rational, reasonable one in our household with the power of
veto. Of course, even though George was
a gift, it was still our choice to take a risk, open our home and our hearts
and receive him. From the beginning, we
knew that this choice assumed certain responsibilities, adjustments in our
priorities and, eventually, a heartbreak. We could have declined. But, saying
‘no’ to the gift offered would have also closed the door to an opportunity for
much joy and much growth for each member of our family.
God gives us the gift of life. This gift takes many diverse forms and every
day we need to choose how to respond. Do we accept it, even embrace it? Do we say ‘yes’, choose to step into the
unknown and receive it as it were by
faith, trusting that everything that comes our way is filtered through the
loving hands of a loving Father?
Or do we shy away, fearful of all the possibilities for
things to go wrong, fearful of pain it may bring?
Sometimes our ‘no’s are rooted in the heart of wisdom that
recognizes our own individual limitations and capacities. We don’t need to say ‘yes’
to every offer that knocks on or door.
But, more often than not, our choice to say ‘no’ is guided by irrational
fears and unresolved insecurities rather than love and faith. Where fear reigns over love and faith, our
world shrinks down to a self-protective shell and something essentially human
is lost in the exchange.
Is it worth it? Or not?
The ultimate gift of Life that God offers is the gift of
Himself in the person of Jesus the Messiah.
But, just like any other gift, this one – amazing as it may be – can be
rejected. If received, it will change us
forever – both joy and heartbreak we know nothing about will enter our lives. The alchemy of them working together will transform us into the man or the woman God intended us to become from the beginning – His
very own son or daughter so we can be like Jesus - unique reflection of His person and character in this world and throughout eternity. With
such promise, who can say it’s not worth it?!!!
He came to His own,
and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to
them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in
His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the
will of man, but of God. John 1:11-13
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