Cornerstone is only four–and–a–half years old, but in that short amount of time we’ve been blessed by God to see one of the most dramatic and breath–taking pictures of the gospel lived out in our midst three glorious times. 

The first was when we saw little Jacob (from Azerbaijan) adopted into the home of a Cornerstone family.  The second time was when little Ani (from Ukraine) was adopted into the home of a Cornerstone family.  And just this week, little Ellie (from Guatemala) was adopted and brought into her new home.

Welcome home, Ellie!  We love you already, and we look forward to getting to know you!

A friend of mine in seminary use to tell a wonderful story about adoption.  His father was a pediatrician, and one of his patients was a little boy.  It seems that whenever the doctor saw this little boy, he was always wearing the same shirt — an old, worn, ratty–looking, faded sweatshirt with the word “Wilson” printed on the front (“Wilson” as in the sporting–goods retailer). 

The doctor often noted how odd it was that this boy from a well–to–do family was forever wearing the same old sweatshirt, which eventually began to look much worse for wear.  Finally he asked the question.

Here’s the story the doctor was told: 

This little boy had been adopted.  And on the day of his adoption his parents presented him with the “Wilson” sweatshirt… because Wilson was his new last name.  The little boy had been so proud to wear his new family name that he simply and absolutely refused to put on any other shirt. 

Every few days the parents would insist that the shirt be washed, but as soon as it came out of the washer & dryer, right back on it would go.  The little boy cherished the fact that he was now a Wilson, and he wanted everyone to know.

Adoption into a new family is indeed something to cherish and celebrate.  No wonder the Bible uses the grace of adoption again and again to illustrate the lavish love of God upon his children.  See Romans 8.15, 23; 9.4; Galatians 4.5; Ephesians 1.5. 

What are the privileges of the adopted children of God?  If you want to “see what kind of love the Father has given us” when he called us his children (1 John 3.1), take a moment and study this magnificent paragraph from the Westminster Confession of Faith:

All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have His name put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry, Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a Father: yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption; and inherit the promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.

As often as we see Jacob, Ani, & Ellie, they will be reminders to us of the free and unmerited grace of adoption.  Praise and wonder.