We adopted Tatianna when she was just six months old.  Her teenage birth mother had chosen to give her up for adoption because of the instability of her life.

Tati was a beautiful and happy little baby.  Our son, Benjamin, was three at the time and had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of his new sister.  Early on, as we told and re-told Benjamin the story of his birth, we told and re-told Tatianna the story of her adoption – how we had looked forward to her coming, how we received the call that our little girl had finally arrived, how we went to get her and how excited we were to bring her home.

As she grew older, Tati began to ask questions about her birth mother.  While our information was extremely limited, we answered her questions the best we could.  It was a closed adoption, so we had absolutely no access to any additional information.  Through the years, Tati continued to express two concerns about her birth mother – was she alright?  And did she know Jesus?

When Tati entered her teen years, we promised that when she turned eighteen we would do whatever we could to locate her birth mother so those questions could be answered.  Then, just three days after Tati turned sixteen, my wife died of cancer.  During the following year, Tati’s concern for her birth mother increased.  I decided to see what I could do to locate her.

It took lots of research, perseverance and some extra assertiveness.  When I went to the hospital where Tati was born and asked some questions, the administrator invited me to her office just long enough for the security officers to arrive to escort me out.

I spent a good deal of time searching the archives in libraries and newspaper offices.  I talked with police and sheriff’s departments.  I made many random phone calls.  It was a slow process, but I finally reached a family member on the phone.

I arranged a visit with Tati’s birth mother.  Tati’s two questions – is she alright? and does she know Jesus? – were about to be answered.

She was living at a KOA campground in a camper that fit into the box of a pick-up truck.  There was no pick-up, just the camper sitting on the ground.  She was living there with her two youngest children.  She was still unmarried, still struggling with addiction, and still missing a relationship with Jesus.  I’m saddened even as I recall the scene.

Naturally it was very disheartening for Tati, but she has maintained a cordial relationship with her birth family ever since.  If nothing else, the experience has served to reinforce her gratitude to God for the gift of the stable family who adopted her and loves her unconditionally to this day.

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul writes about our adoption into God’s family.  We are adopted sons and daughters by God’s grace, giving us the rights and privileges of natural heirs.  He writes in chapter eight, “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…”

No matter our origin, as followers of Jesus Christ, we know we belong to our loving Heavenly Father and are a part of His family, ready to claim our inheritance - eternal life.

Thank you, Father, for adopting me.