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A Forever Family

A Michigan kindergarten class recently took a memorable field trip. They
went to a court house! They weren't witnessing a trial; they were
supporting a classmate, Michael Clark, Jr., age 5, who was being adopted.

Andrea Melvin and Dave Eaton became Michael's foster parents about a year
ago, but now they were adopting him into their family. Michael wanted his
classmates from Wealthy Elementary in East Grand Rapids with him. His
classmates were present, holding red and pink paper hearts on sticks,
celebrating with Michael and his new family.

"I understand we are joined by Michael's kindergarten classroom and
teacher," 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Patricia Gardner told
those gathered on December 5, 2019, which happened to be the annual Adoption
Day. "Welcome to the courthouse on this amazing day," she said.

"The lesson is put a little love in your heart. We rise when we support
others," said their teacher, Kerry McKee.

When we were "orphaned" due to our sins, the Heavenly Father revealed His
plan and purpose to adopt us into His Forever Family. In order to adopt us
into His holy family, we would have to be redeemed from our sins. The
Heavenly Father gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins
on the cross. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

If we accept the Father's gracious offer, He will adopt us into His Forever
Family, the church of Jesus Christ. And one day, He will take us to His
eternal home in heaven.

God will save, adopt into His family, and give eternal life to those who
place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins
in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
and are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He
will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of
His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

The Apostle wrote to some who had accepted the Father's invitation to
adoption: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to
fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba,
Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's
children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and
co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we
may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not
worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:15-18
NIV).

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God!" (1 John 3:1).

He wants YOU in His family.

Won't YOU accept His offer?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Michigan boy's entire kindergarten class shows
up to adoption hearing: 'Too cute!'" by Caleb Parke of www.foxnews.com and
"Boy invites entire kindergarten class to his adoption hearing" by the web
staff of www.myfox8.com.