“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.

In love, He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.”

Ephesians 1:3-6

• He chose us before He ever knew us
• He pursued us (no adoption papers, forms, airline tickets but His blood)
• He prayed for us (physical needs and spiritual needs)
• He planned for us, preparing not only for our adoption, but also our arrival in His home
• They waited eagerly for the time of our adoption
• They thought about us (wondering what our little heart and hands looked like, anticipating our first smile)
• He made known their love for us
• He wrote letters to her, even before we were born
• He sacrificed for us: Money, Time, Personal comfort (His life)
• They anticipated and lovingly bore our anger and abuse (hitting, screaming, kicking, crying)
• He was patient with us (long-suffering)
• They fully committed to her (entering into a forever commitment)
• They visited the orphanage where she had stayed and the place where she was abandoned (helping them to know, understand and sympathize with her)
• They desired for her to know them (time with her, pictures and videos from other family members)
• They provided her with earthly comforts (a bed, shelter, food, clothing)
• They gave her gifts (a new hat, new pajamas)
• They helped her feel secure (carrying, rocking and holding her)
• They provided things to give her joy…and delighted in her smiles and laughter
• They experienced life together (Dave and Stacey never leaving her, always watching over her, as they explored the world together)
• They desired to communicate with her (teaching her new words, listening to her sing in her own language, telling and showing her about the greatest love:  the love of God in Christ)
• They took care of her physical health (medical appointments, caring for her when she was sick)
• They kept her safe (pursuing her when she ran away from them, warning her of danger, keeping her from eating foul things)
• Their heart experienced great joy when she made known her love for them (by way of kisses and smiles)
• They acted on her behalf, giving her a future and a hope (a future which she did not have and had no way of attaining)
• They were willing to cause her temporal and temporary pain in order to give her future happiness and security
• They recorded her tears (hating to distress her, but willing to do so for her good)
• They sealed the adoption (making it official, legal and binding)
• They welcomed her into their home
• They gave her an inheritance (which she will only slowly begin to know and appreciate)
• They involved others in her adoption (particularly in praying for her)
• They openly loved and appreciated each other (giving a solid foundation for the family)
• They continually intercede for her before the throne of God

The point is this:  As astounding as it is, the love parents display in adopting a child is but a small illustration of the amazing love God displays in adopting us as His children.  Anna is not yet in a position to give thanks for the abundant love that has been shown to her.  We are.