God Adopted Us
I am thankful for adoption, first and foremost, because it was really God’s idea. God first adopted us and showed us the blessing of adoption.
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
– John 1:12-13 (ESV)
We are only able to love because God first loved us. I am thankful that God showed me His mercy, opened my eyes, and saved me. I am thankful that “in love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” (Ephesians 1:5)
Help Us Adopt Again!
We are still raising funds to adopt and would be so thankful if you would considering making a donation. Thank you!
Growing Our Family
When Aubrey and I came to the realization that we were not ready to quit growing our family, it was too late for us, biologically speaking. We had previously never considered adoption to be “for us”, but God being rich in mercy and love changed our hearts. Now, I am thankful that we can continue to grow our family through adoption.
Making Disciples
I am thankful for the opportunity to continue making disciples. The Great Commission states that we should make disciples as we go through life. A great way to do this is to make our children disciples of Christ. In all that we do, in all that we teach them, it is our goal to point them to Jesus Christ and what He has done to atone for their sins and provide a means for them to be considered righteous before God. Now that we can continue to “have” kids, we can continue to make little disciples, who will hopefully grow to be adult disciples.
Loving Our Neighbor
I am thankful for the opportunity to love our neighbors. Adoption fills a need and shows love to several neighbors in a very specific way. Adoption shows love to birth parents who need to find loving families for their precious, unborn child(ren). Adoption shows love to the adopted child(ren) who need a mommy and daddy to care for them and point them to Christ.
Sanctification
I am thankful for the ways God uses adoption in our lives to mold and shape us more into the people that He has called us to be. Adoption is not an easy or comfortable process. It is filled with pain, grief, suffering and sacrifice, but also excitement, joy, and enormous blessing. God has been gracious to us by leading us through this process and showing us that we can grow in love more than we imagined possible.
Education
I am thankful for the education that we have received through adoption and also the opportunity to educate others about adoption. We had so many preconceived ideas about what adoption is, what it isn’t, and what the process looks like. Walking through this process has taught us so much that we can then pass on to others.
Demonstration of the Gospel
I am thankful that God is using our family to put His glory, His love and a demonstration of His Gospel on display. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus was speaking here of laying down his life literally… he spoke of his death. However, literally dying is not the only way that we can lay down our lives for others. We can also die to ourselves, to our own comforts and desires for “the good life”. Raising children to know and love God is a difficult and lifelong process. If we can show our children the Gospel by this sort of love then I am eternally grateful. If I can also show others… friends, family or strangers… the Gospel by this sort of love, that is even better. Adoption is a great conversation starter and if it can lead to Gospel conversations, then I am thankful.
From the Franzone family to yours, have a Happy Thanksgiving!