The theme of caring for orphans and widows is laced throughout the Bible; it is God’s heart to serve as the Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5) and the Husband to the widow. Also, God is kind to give His children desires to love on each the widow and orphan. But an interesting perspective is held by the believer in Jesus on the theme of orphan care – we were once alienated and hostile in mind ( Colossians 1:21); orphaned and left Fatherless because we clung ever-so-tightly to the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), the prince of this world, the devil. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” Ephesians 2:4-5.
We were all orphans. According to God’s Word, Christians have been adopted into God’s family. We were once not a people, but now we are God’s people (1 Peter 2:10). We have been divinely interwoven into this life-changing joy of adoption because of God’s grace in Christ Jesus – it is personal to us, and we know it WELL.
Because of Christ’s great sacrifice on the cross to atone for our sins which were and are against the holy and righteous God, our family has felt the drawing and call to adopt a child into our family! Lord willing, there is a little boy 3 years old or younger in Ethiopia with the last name Sheridan waiting to come home to his forever family. We are very early on in this process – we begin our first homestudy interview Thursday, and the paperwork has only slowly begun. But our hearts are overjoyed at God’s kindness in knitting mine and Brandon’s hearts together about our role in orphan care. I will try and recap how God used His Word and a very helpful resource to show us His heart for orphan care soon.
Please pray that we would be a praying and Jesus-trusting family. Pray that God would provide the means to bring home our little boy. Pray for his salvation. Pray others would be so stirred toward orphan care that they too would adopt a child or children into their family for God’s glory and His renown. May the good news of Christ’s blood covering our sins and restoring our standing with God be at the forefront and backdrop of every adoption!
Maggie,
This is wonderful news. I am so excited for you and Brandon and to see God’s hand in your journey. We really regret that our dinner time didn’t work out this week. Let’s get together when you get back in town. Here or there – it matters not to us but we’d love to see you guys. Love ya., Joanna
Yes! It is definite that we must get together soon. Can’t wait! Love y’all
Will be praying for you guys in this process! May the bloodline of your family be His blood!