“He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.” – Ephesians 1:5-8a
Robert Carter is a 29-year-old man who is working hard to make a good life for himself. He has had to overcome many obstacles in his life, especially growing up as a child in the foster care system. Robert knew he needed to help other children, like himself, who needed a home. What he did not know was that he would become a single dad of FIVE – but that is exactly what happened when he appeared in court and adopted Marionna, Makayla, Robert, Giovanni and Kiontae.
Sadly, when children enter the foster care system, their families are often broken up in more than one way. No longer with their families, siblings are often separated as well. That is what happened to Robert’s children. Because there were five children, not one foster care home was able to take them. Robert took in the boys, but the girls were separated and sent elsewhere. Robert did not want the kids separated and so he would organize times for them to get together, but soon he realized that they needed to be together, permanently. He let the social workers know that he was willing to adopt all five.
Robert Carter had spent much of his life with the foster care system. He did his best to overcome the trials that he and his siblings went through. Now he is creating a new future for his family. His willingness to open his home and his life to these children will not only change Robert, it will also change these children and their families for generations.
We often use the language of adoption to define our place in the family of faith. There is no greater example of how we come together to become a family. God has adopted us, welcomed us home, and given us a place where we can grow, flourish and know the gift of life that was intended for us from the day we were created. Robert has done the same for Marionna, Makayla, Robert, Giovanni and Kiontae. When we are willing to open our lives up to those in need around us, we too can make a difference. We can change the world for so many people when we give of our time, our energy and our resources. God first demonstrated how we are to live when he called us his children and opened the grace of heaven to each of us. Now we are called to do the same. We are called to love our neighbors, no exception.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
