We had a birthday celebration at a girls’ orphanage (there is also one boy who lives there) a couple evenings ago. We met these kids at church, but also teach them at school, so we’d had some introductions previously. They range in age from 1 – 18 years old. They’re possibly the most wise, self-less, incredible humans I’ve ever met in my life.
Watching these girls love each other was incredibly humbling. We had been told some of their stories – kids whose parents dropped them off because they couldn’t afford to take care of them, girls who were abandoned because, culturally, boys are preferred in India, and a 1-year-old with down syndrome just left because she doesn’t fit the norm. My heart hurt for them as soon as we were told their stories.
They rocked the crying babies, chased the dirty, screaming toddlers, encouraged each other, and disciplined when necessary. They are the definition of family, the church, siblings, and best friends. I know their feelings are probably different at times, though, considering their circumstances. I can’t imagine feeling abandoned by my biological parents and not growing up in a traditional family setting. It must be that much harder in India, because families live together – I mean the whole family – with parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles. Still, the way these kids live their lives is evidence of their love for Christ and their wisdom in thriving together, even if it looks and feels way different than average.
They may be called “orphans” to everyone in the world, but they’re not. It is apparent they know who their Father is, and He takes care of them every second of every day. They have an understanding that their home is not here, but is in heaven, which they bring down to Earth, so they’re already there. To the world, they’re orphans, but to the orphans, they’re not even of this world.
We all have an orphan spirit before we know the Lord, and, sometimes even after. We don’t know where we belong or who we belong to, and we live out of that fear and abandonment. When that turns into living in confidence and out of love, it’s an adoption spirit. Although these children are pegged as orphans, they do not live under the control of that spirit. It is the most incredible thing to witness; kids who, by law, are orphans, but choose to have a spirit of adoption. Romans 8:14-15 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” I am inspired, intrigued, and completely blessed by these beautiful kids in being challenged to live like I am chosen, accepted, loved, and adopted.
