| JUST LIKE MY DADDY |
(As seen in Soul Matters for The Heart
A publication of Country Man, A Division of Thomas Nelson)
2005)
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 (Romans 8:15 NIV).
Not able to have children of their own, my son and
daughter-in-law have adopted several children through
the foster care system. Each addition to the family has
been considered a blessing—especially so with Joshua.
Nearly a year before, Joshua, who had been in foster care
since early infancy, was free to be adopted. When the
agency called my son and daughter-in-law who already
had one adopted son and another whom they hoped to
adopt, they opened their hearts to welcome the
youngster into their burgeoning nest. It was love at first
sight when the affectionate youngster moved in. Finally,
all the legal work was over, and the family accompanied
Joshua for his day in court.
The courtroom was silent, waiting for the judge to make
a decision—a decision to determine not only where little
Joshua would live, but also what his name would be. The
judge motioned Joshua to approach the bench. From his
austere heights, the magistrate pointed to someone in
the room. Each time, Joshua was asked, “Who is
this?”
“Those are my brothers,” Joshua said, referring to the
other adopted children. “That’s Mommy,” he explained
as he pointed to my daughter-in-law.
Then the judge’s attention focused on my son who
positioned Joshua in his arms, allowing the child to see
the judge at eye level. “And who is this man holding
you?”
Joshua’s eyes widened. He took his little hand and
touched his father’s face as he squealed in delight, “THAT’
S MY DADDY!”
The judge, assured of Joshua’s placement in a loving
family, told John and Melissa that Joshua was now their
legal son. Then the judge asked Joshua, “Do you know
what your new name is?”
Joshua blurted out in excitement as he hugged his new
father, “Joshua John Barringer, just like my daddy!”
Joshua takes great pleasure in imitating his father in just
about everything. But, his greatest thrill is to bear his
father’s name. For months after the adoption, Joshua
said his name in a complete phrase: “I’m Joshua John
Barringer, just like my Daddy!”
Joshua’s unabashed enthusiasm to become one with the
family he loved, made me think of my spiritual
relationship to God. He holds me in His arms so that I
can touch His face. He has given me the privilege to call
him “Daddy, God.”
He asks me to be holy as He is holy. He wants me to
emulate His example. Joshua’s delight at his new name,
made my heart say to God, “I want to be just like You.”
For reprint permission
contact the author at
lrondeau@westelcom.com
A publication of Country Man, A Division of Thomas Nelson)
2005)
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 (Romans 8:15 NIV).
Not able to have children of their own, my son and
daughter-in-law have adopted several children through
the foster care system. Each addition to the family has
been considered a blessing—especially so with Joshua.
Nearly a year before, Joshua, who had been in foster care
since early infancy, was free to be adopted. When the
agency called my son and daughter-in-law who already
had one adopted son and another whom they hoped to
adopt, they opened their hearts to welcome the
youngster into their burgeoning nest. It was love at first
sight when the affectionate youngster moved in. Finally,
all the legal work was over, and the family accompanied
Joshua for his day in court.
The courtroom was silent, waiting for the judge to make
a decision—a decision to determine not only where little
Joshua would live, but also what his name would be. The
judge motioned Joshua to approach the bench. From his
austere heights, the magistrate pointed to someone in
the room. Each time, Joshua was asked, “Who is
this?”
“Those are my brothers,” Joshua said, referring to the
other adopted children. “That’s Mommy,” he explained
as he pointed to my daughter-in-law.
Then the judge’s attention focused on my son who
positioned Joshua in his arms, allowing the child to see
the judge at eye level. “And who is this man holding
you?”
Joshua’s eyes widened. He took his little hand and
touched his father’s face as he squealed in delight, “THAT’
S MY DADDY!”
The judge, assured of Joshua’s placement in a loving
family, told John and Melissa that Joshua was now their
legal son. Then the judge asked Joshua, “Do you know
what your new name is?”
Joshua blurted out in excitement as he hugged his new
father, “Joshua John Barringer, just like my daddy!”
Joshua takes great pleasure in imitating his father in just
about everything. But, his greatest thrill is to bear his
father’s name. For months after the adoption, Joshua
said his name in a complete phrase: “I’m Joshua John
Barringer, just like my Daddy!”
Joshua’s unabashed enthusiasm to become one with the
family he loved, made me think of my spiritual
relationship to God. He holds me in His arms so that I
can touch His face. He has given me the privilege to call
him “Daddy, God.”
He asks me to be holy as He is holy. He wants me to
emulate His example. Joshua’s delight at his new name,
made my heart say to God, “I want to be just like You.”
For reprint permission
contact the author at
lrondeau@westelcom.com
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