Royalty

Something miraculous happens when you step out of your own will and step into the light of the will of Christ. He changes you from that first step. He opens your eyes. He shows you the world as He sees it. I've heard it said that once your eyes are opened they never close again.

An adopting friend recently brought up the subject of how we are all so uncomfortable with others telling us that they are "proud" of us for adopting. I think we all step onto the road of adoption without knowing how God is going to change us. Somewhere in the process we no longer understand that some consider what we do a "sacrifice." Because somewhere in the process God changes our hearts and we see these children as God sees them. We see them as royalty. And they are. They are royalty. 

Have you ever watched those "Gotcha Day" videos? They are the greatest picture of God's love I think we can see on this earth. Those that the world calls orphans, deformed, handicapped are treated as royalty. The awe on the faces of those parents is breathtakingly beautiful. Is there any better picture of how God loves his children despite our sins that leave us scarred and ugly? Our hearts are orphaned and deformed and yet He calls us sons and daughters.

Kings and Queens.

The phrase "the least of these" turns my head these days. I can't understand how these kids are considered to be in that category. I see their faces everyday on blogs and on lists and sit with wonder as to why in heavens name people aren't storming the gates to gather them into their arms. Somehow God gives you His eyes and you see their "deformities" as beauty, true beauty. I've seen babies that once upon a time I couldn't even look upon and find myself wishing I could touch their faces, kiss their wounds and tell them how much Jesus loves them. They are SO beautiful. Stunning.

A doctor once told me that it didn't have to be us to adopt Simon. Someone would step forward. Why put that on ourselves? I cried for my son that day. Someone didn't think he was worth the trouble. He was too sick to bring home. God opened my eyes a little more that day and has continued to do so. 

I am the one that is privileged, not him. May he always feel like a prince in my home. I am being given the most precious gift of loving on royalty. God holds these ones close to Him and through Simon I am being given a glimpse of heaven in all of it's beauty. It steals my breath away. 

"The least of these?" 

May it never be. They are royalty, My Friends. 

Stand in awe of their beauty. 

Stunningly gorgeous.

God give us your eyes as we start this new year.  Help us, sweet Jesus, to bring them home. Fill our arms, fill our homes with the beauty that is found in these children. Teach us to love Dear Father. Teach us to love. Give us Your eyes for beauty. May we understand true beauty.