Few things are as beautiful as witnessing an orphaned child’s transformation when he or she is adopted into a loving and nurturing home. Each time I see a parentless boy or girl move from a state of starvation to good nutrition, from despair to hope, from abandonment to community, I hear the truth of Psalm 68:6 ring out, “God places the lonely in families”! But with so many children in need of adoptive moms and dads, I often wonder why the adoption process takes so long.

Waiting can tempt us to see a murky picture of God’s faithfulness, rather than the generous perfection of His timing. That’s why it’s important for us to obtain peace by praying without ceasing (Philippians 4:6) and that we gain understanding of God’s precision by looking to Scripture. A beautiful example of patience and purposefulness in waiting to adopt is modeled by God Himself in Galatians 4:4-7. In this passage we learn that:

• “When the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law” (Galatians 4:4).

• “God sent [Jesus] to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children” (Galatians 4:5).

• “Because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father’!” (Galatians 4:6).

• “Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child” (Galatians 4:7).

• “And since you are His child, God has made you His heir” (Galatians 4:7).

God may or may not lead to you to adopt a child. But remember that He eagerly awaits to adopt you as His own. Your Abba Father awaits your embrace.

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 9:1-21