A Michigan kindergarten class recently took a memorable field trip.  They went to a court house!  They weren’t witnessing a trial; they were supporting a classmate, Michael Clark, Jr., age 5, who was being adopted.

Andrea Melvin and Dave Eaton became Michael’s foster parents about a year ago, but now they were adopting him into their family.  Michael wanted his classmates from Wealthy Elementary in East Grand Rapids with him.  His classmates were present, holding red and pink paper hearts on sticks, celebrating with Michael and his new family.

“I understand we are joined by Michael’s kindergarten classroom and teacher,” 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Patricia Gardner told those gathered on December 5, 2019, which happened to be the annual Adoption Day.  “Welcome to the courthouse on this amazing day," she said.

“The lesson is put a little love in your heart. We rise when we support others,” said their teacher, Kerry McKee.

When we were “orphaned” due to our sins, the Heavenly Father revealed His plan and purpose to adopt us into His Forever Family.  In order to adopt us into His holy family, we would have to be redeemed from our sins.  The Heavenly Father gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins on the cross.   “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

If we accept the Father’s gracious offer, He will adopt us into His Forever Family, the church of Jesus Christ.  And one day, He will take us to His eternal home in heaven.

God will save, adopt into His family, and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

The Apostle wrote to some who had accepted the Father’s invitation to adoption: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:15-18 NIV).

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

He wants YOU in His family.

Won’t YOU accept His offer?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “Michigan boy's entire kindergarten class shows up to adoption hearing: 'Too cute!'” by Caleb Parke of www.foxnews.com and “Boy invites entire kindergarten class to his adoption hearing” by the web staff of www.myfox8.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org