Adam and Eve are Alive and Well

So my child broke a family rule, and I knew it. When I questioned this child, I was told a bold lie, and I knew it. This brought a hole in our relationship, and I was sad for it. This was not a shining moment in this child’s life.

I asked, “Why did you lie to me? How often do I tell you ‘no’? If you told me the reasoning behind what you wanted and it made sense, don’t you think I would have said ‘yes’?” I was not happy and forgiveness was the last thing on my mind. Then God tapped me on the shoulder and, once again, let me know that this lesson was really for me.

Adam and Eve broke God’s rule, and He knew it. When questioned, they lied, and God knew it. Sin had entered the picture, which brought a hole in their relationship, which lead to sadness. Not a shining moment for them, either.

But just as sin had entered the picture, forgiveness would one day enter. I needed to forgive this child and mend the hole in our relationship just as Christ did by dying on the cross so that I could be forgiven for my sin. He did this for you, too.

Although there was a price to pay, just as Adam and Eve had to pay a price by leaving the garden, I am so thankful that God showed me that forgiveness was more important than justice.

Privileges and Obligations

I was adopted as an infant.Throughout my life I always found comfort in looking at my adoption papers from time to time. Sometimes I just needed to see in print the truth that I already knew.

There is a section in my adoption papers that intrigues me. “…is hereby declared the legal child and heir…and is entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all the obligations of a child born to such adoptive parents…”

I was “declared the legal child and heir” to my parents. This put me on equal footing in my parent’s eyes as my brother and sister. It doesn’t matter that I entered my family six and ten years after my brother and sister; I am still “entitled” to the same rights and privileges.” It also doesn’t matter that I don’t look like my brother and sister or have the same interests. We share a common bond that could only be brought about because of adoption.

Perhaps the most interesting item is that the court put the phrase “subject to all the obligations of a child born to such adoptive parents” in this legal document. Being part of a family isn’t just about the privileges, fun and games. There are obligations and responsibilities, too.

What a beautiful picture of God’s family. We are all adopted by God at different times, ages and places, but that doesn’t matter. We all are “entitled” to the same rights and privileges of having God as our father. Someone who follows God at ten years old has the same access to prayer,the Bible and to heaven as someone who follows God at 60. It doesn’t matter that our gifts and talents are different from each other. It doesn’t matter that we serve in different ways. God’s children share a common bond that could only be brought about by His adoption of us.

But, while we are enjoying God’s privileges, we are also subject to obligations as well. With great privilege comes great responsibility.I did not carry out family responsibilities and obligations with a sense of duty. I did it because I loved my parents and was thankful they brought me into such a great family. How much more should my love for God be, that carrying out my responsibilities for Him should be a joy.

One Year

It’s hard to believe that I started this blog one year ago. I am thankful to those who encouraged me to start a blog, and to those who have been my cheerleaders along the way. 

Blogging has been such a growing process for me. The posts I publish usually look much different than when I begin writing them. As a matter of fact, “houselessons” as a whole does not look like the blog I started with. God has taken me places I never thought I would go and given me words I never thought I would write. At times writing has been joyful, and at times it has me arguing with God about what I should say and how to say it. All in all, the journey has been fantastic.

Some weeks I have posts to write daily, sometimes multiple times a day. Some weeks there are no words and my blog is dry land. I will continue to write blog posts as long as God gives me something to say. When He stops, I stop.

Until then, I hope you continue to enjoy reading from “houselessons” as much as I enjoy writing it.