This morning I gazed upon an angel! No, I’m not talking about my husband. But about our sweet granddaughter, Riley! She is an angel because she is still sleeping and lying there snuggled in the blankets. We can almost see a halo! She came for a “sleepover”! She brought five movies, her Christmas Pjs and a change of clothes. That is much simpler than it used to be when diapers, bibs and bottles came with her. Soon she will wake up and Grandpa and Grandma’s life “as we know it” (leisurely coffee drinking and relaxing) will change. Riley will soon be seven years old and she goes a mile a minute. Last night, she even asked if I could take her on a ride on the tractor when morning came. That’s why I am being very quiet, as to not disturb her, since it is frigid outside and this “bed head” I don today does not need to be frozen into place.

Like any birth, we knew Riley was coming. We even knew she was a girl, and it seemed we waited forever for her to be born. While waiting to adopt Riley, her parents made many plans for her, as did a very anxious grandma and grandpa! Daddy wanted to make sure there was enough money to raise this little girl. Mommy wanted everything perfect in her nursery and well…. Grandpa and Grandma wanted to get lots of love time! Finally, Riley arrived and within hours we were all to there to greet this precious recent addition to our family. It amazed me at the love we all instantly felt for this one so new. This one who was not born of our flesh but was definitely born into our hearts. She immediately carried the name of her parents. She was instantly an heir to all they had. They swept her into a family of brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins! It’s absolutely amazing how that happens! She has been such a blessing!

I read today anew about another adoption that took place after they planned it for a very long time.  How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! “He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid created earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago, he adopted us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” (Ephesians 1:3-5 MSG) 

I cannot fathom the creator of the earth having me on his mind! He focused His love on us and made plans to adopt you and me into His family. Can you imagine our Heavenly Father taking pleasure as He planned? Yet, for how long do we run from Him not accepting His offer of adoption that He gave through His Son, Jesus Christ? As Riley became heir to her family’s love and possessions, as heirs of Jesus Christ we become heirs of eternal life! We need only to accept Him!

I’ll, have to stop now, I need to get dressed, we are going for a tractor ride!

Jeanie Nihiser Volunteer and Prayer Warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)