We started our adoption journey for the same reason that many people do—we were unable to conceive naturally. We had studied the Scriptures on this, and felt that it was up to God to open up a woman’s womb if He wanted her to give birth to a child. While there were several illustrations of miraculous conceptions (Sarah and Hannah in the Old Testament, Elizabeth and Mary in the New Testament), there were doubtless others in Bible times who tried to conceive but were unable to do so.
While we were disappointed at our inability to conceive naturally, we rejoiced when God provided us children through adoption. Looking at our children helped us once again realize how fearfully and wonderfully made we are (Psalm 139:13-14). We never take the pregnancy and birth of a mother lightly. The life that is developing within her is a miracle. We all marvel at the sight of a newborn baby. Most children are born with all the basic equipment to grow into a normal healthy person, and even to be able to reproduce themselves.
A simple example of this is the complexity of the human eye. That we are able to see anything at all is a miracle, and yet God created the eye of man to be able to take images of his world and transport them via the optic nerve to the brain. Every part of the human eye is designed explicitly to perform this function or to otherwise protect those parts which need protection. When Jesus healed the man who had been born blind (John 9), He had to give him all new vision in his eyes (his eyes had never functioned).
As we would sit back and look at our sons growing up, we were fascinated by their continued growth and abilities. We prayed that God would continue to give them the health that they needed. Even when accidents happened (such as a fractured forearm on the ice one January afternoon), we asked God to heal our son, and He provided this through surgery, physical therapy, and gradual improvement.
As doctors study the human body, they continue to unravel the complexity of the various parts. The heart is a phenomenal organ, and yet it continues to function normally without so much as a moment’s effort on our part. Same for our lungs. Another miracle is that all parts serve to support the whole. Skin, for example, is densely innervated in order to protect the rest of the body from attack or assault, and yet few of us think about the large quantity of skin which we inhabit. Yet one invasion of the skin can result in disastrous outcomes.
Our sons made us parents. In this we saw the beauty of the body of Christ as well. It has been our joy to see them mature and become proud parents of their own children.
What one thing reminds you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made? Please feel free to comment in the comment box below.
Marcellus George and his loving wife are the adoptive parents of (now adult) twin sons. He is the author of numerous articles and devotions, has a Ph.D. in theology...