Twice Adopted: A Story of Earthly Joy and Eternal Promises
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5
I’m thankful I had such a loving earthly father because it made it so much easier to identify with our perfect Heavenly Father! The Father heart of God still amazes me- the creator of “family”; He who is All Sufficient and needs nothing and yet desires family, communion, and fellowship. He created us to know and be known. He yearns for intimate relationships. His heart breaks at the thought of anyone feeling orphaned, isolated, rejected, or alone. Scripture tells us that He sets the lonely in families and calls us as believers to actively look after one another and open our hearts and homes to children, the abandoned, orphans, and widows.
This isn’t just a theological idea to me; it’s the beginning story of my life.
My birth mother lovingly placed me up for adoption because she believed wasn’t in the position to raise me. Growing up, my parents instilled a foundational truth in my heart that I’ve carried ever since: They would say “When we adopted you- you became Cynthia Joy Benedict- you are truly, legally, permenantly ours. Nothing can change that. We are forever family.”
Over the years, our family has expanded and welcomed friends, exchange students, and foster children into our circle for different times and seasons. And our family has grown through marriage and birth. Two years ago, we rejoiced when Micah and Adrienne adopted our grandson C.J.! And then again, just last week, our hearts overflowed as the Barclay family grew once more through adoption to welcome Jacob Emmanuel Barclay.
Jacob Emmanuel Barclay
We gathered at the courthouse- grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, mom and dad, excited to put Jacob’s almost two years of foster care behind us and make his place in our family permanent.
What a joyfilled day! Watching almost three-year old Jacob wander cheerfully from his siblings to his cousins and back to his parent’s arms, I was struck by the sweet innocence of this holy moment. He was completely unaware that his entire personal and legal standing was changing forever.
Hand in hand with Daddy
My heart was full and my eyes kept misting over. I hoped the Lord had opened a window in heaven so my Mom and Dad and birth Mom could witness this precious event that was unfolding.
Mommy and Jacob
At one point, when the Judge was asking about Jacob’s full name, Jacob piped up and said for the whole courtroom to hear, “Hey! Did he say my name?!”
Hey! Did that judge say my name?!
The judge looked at Adrienne and Micah and asked them directly if they understood the weight and beauty of what they were undertaking. He asked if they pledged to understand that Jacob would now legally be their son—permanently and irrevocably—with equal rights and full inheritance alongside their other children.
With joyful conviction, they answered, “We do.”
As soon as those words were spoken and the papers were signed, Jacob became ours forever.
God makes beautiful families!
The celebration didn't end at the courthouse steps. Afterward, we all headed over to Micah and Adrienne’s house for a huge party filled with family and friends who couldn't be at court with us. Their home was overflowing with laughter, warm hugs, delicious food, and a deep, shared gratitude for the miracle of family.
The blessing of grandparenting! The joy of generations!
Twice Adopted
This is where the earthly beauty of adoption meets the eternal reality of the Gospel.
Sitting in that courtroom, my heart was full as I reflected on the fact that I am twice adopted. First, into a loving earthly family through the courage of my birth mother and the love of my parents. And second, into the family of God through Jesus Christ.
When we recognize that God is our Father and respond to His call, a sacred exchange takes place. He says, "You are My child," and we respond, "Yes, You are my Father."
Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God and brought into His household as full sons and daughters—not as second-class members, but with full rights of inheritance and covenant assurance.
The legal language used in the courtroom—permanent and irrevocable—is the exact same promise God makes to us. What God joins together, no man can pull apart. No circumstance, no failure, and no outside force can strip away your identity once you belong to Him.
From My Heart to Yours
Whether your family has grown through birth, adoption, foster care, or blended relationships, know this: God’s design is always to draw us closer to one another and to Him. Life really is about Connecting Your Generations to Him and to each other and Creating Eternal Legacy!
If you have ever wondered about your place or questioned if you truly belong, look to the God who sets the lonely in families. He is the Eternal Father, asking you to be in His forever Family. In His house, there are no temporary seats at the table. You are welcomed! You are chosen! You are forever family! If you would like to join the family of God, here are a few links that will walk you through the next steps of knowing you belong to Him. peacewithgod.net and https://www.gotquestions.org/child-of-God.html