WRITTEN BY TIM LABRECHE
I’ve started to enjoy reading fiction again lately. The current series I’m reading starts each book right as some big, dramatic scene unfolds. My last book started with an EMS helicopter pilot being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient. The one I’m currently reading starts with a courtroom hostage situation involving a judge, the jury, U.S. Marshals, and everyone else in the courtroom. Both beginnings have kept me interested, and I want to know how the story turns out. As I turn the pages in these books, there are ups and downs as it unfolds, as any good piece of fiction should be. As dramatic as these stories are, one thing is for sure; whatever happens in the last chapter will be good and leave the reader happy. Who wants to read a book with an unhappy ending?
I could say that my story isn’t too different from the formula the author uses. My story began with a dose of drama too. I was born prematurely to a teen mom and given up for adoption at birth. Being in a closed adoption, I wouldn’t know anything about my birth family at all. My birth family had no idea where I was going, or even if I survived the birth, and my adoptive family had no idea where I came from. The only thing my adoptive parents knew were based on stories nurses who were present at my birth had told them.
Like any good work, I’ve experienced both good and bad as the chapters of my life unfolded. Victories and losses. Joy and sorrow. I grew up in a loving home with parents who loved me as their biological son. I grew up with friends that I couldn’t imagine living life without. I live life with people who encourage, challenge and strengthen me. I married the most loving and beautiful woman; my kids have been one of my greatest blessings.
I’ve learned who my birth parents were recently through Ancestry DNA. Even though they have both passed away, I connected with a new aunt, uncle, and a few cousins on a Saturday last month over lunch. We met at a restaurant in the Detroit area near where I grew up. As we sat, they shared pictures and stories of my birth parents. I shared stories of my life as well. I’m incredibly thankful I was able to meet them. As they all shared stories of my birth parents, I could see their love for them and how they were incredibly missed.
The word adoption has been going through my mind recently. I heard a few times on that day how thankful they were for my parents, who adopted me. I keep returning to how they drenched me in love, called me their own, and gave me their name. It’s very similar to how my God in Heaven loves all of us unconditionally and shows us His love when we call Him Abba Father and are led by His Spirit. 1 John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Naturally, we are distant from God, but when we become a part of His family, he calls us His child. My parents were a living, breathing example of that in my life.
I’m incredibly grateful for my story. I wouldn’t change any single chapter or event (except for dressing up as Sinterklaas for a Holland parade one year.) My adoption story is the starting point of all the incredible things and remarkable people included in my story. I’m so thankful for EVERYONE included in the story of my life.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to 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.” (Romans 8:14-17, NIV)
As much as I absolutely love the family that took me in and called me their own, I’m eternally grateful that He has adopted me into His family and will share in His glory.
Did you know that God already loves you, whether you know Him yet, or not? But if you accept Jesus as your personal savior, then you are adopted into the family of God. If you have any questions about what that could look like in your life, please don’t hesitate to visit us at The Living Center. We would love to sit down with you and share with you how much you are loved by our Creator.
