I want to share a beautiful story….

I was needing a time away with the Lord last year. There was so much going on in my life personally and with the growth of Bridge of Hope, I found myself desperate to be alone with God. I went to a conference where Heidi Baker would be speaking, in Long Beach CA.  I got a hotel, and planned on being there for a few days.  It was a powerful conference, but what was really the most powerful, was my time alone in the hotel room, seeking God.
God was wanting to reveal something to me, I could feel it, but I wasn’t sure of what it was. I just knew I was searching in my heart, crying out to God to understand something, not knowing what it was.  It felt like I had put a big puzzle together, and the puzzle was almost complete, but there was one missing piece and I was looking for it.

I was in the Word, reading Galatians 4: 5-7 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

These words, I had read and quoted a hundred times over the years, were suddenly alive to me. I got it!! I could see! I heard my Father God say to me, ” I am adopting you. You are my daughter and I am your dad.” I sat there, completely aware of His presence and confidence. I asked, “Wait… What?” He said it again, ” I am adopting you. I am your dad. Your real dad. The adoption papers are completed and signed by the blood of my Son. You are mine and nothing, or no one, not even you, can change that.”  I fell to my knees and began to cry and receive His love and peace. The words washed over me.” I am adopted? He is my dad?” It was a beautiful, tender, and powerful moment. The next thing He said was, ” Lets go get some ice cream.”   “What? Ice cream?”  So funny. I began to tell Him why I couldn’t get ice cream. “It is 11:30 in the morning, I have not eaten any food yet, and I don’t really want ice cream right now.” He interrupted me and said, “Let’s go get some ice cream. That is what Dad’s do with their daughters.” I started to cry again. Such a tender moment for me.” Ok”, I said, feeling silly and sorry I was arguing why I did not want ice cream,” yes, I will go.”

You see, my earthly father was a angry, unavailable, unloving father.  That father daughter relationship was all I have known.  I was more the parent in the relationship than he was.  A matter of fact, I have had to work very hard over the years, to recover and heal from this relationship. Now, my Father God is telling me that He is adopting me. I got it! I received the Spirit of Adoption. I began to cry and sit with Him and let His love and words wash over me. It was a moment I will never forget. My whole paradigm shifted. I felt my big Papa’s love, acceptance, and care for me.
I found a 31 flavors ice cream shop. I went in and ordered my favorite flavor when I was a kid. Chocolate and Peanut Butter . He asked me to not go get back into my truck and eat it, but to sit with Him on a bench, take time with Him, and enjoy.

Since that day, I am learning what it means to be a daughter and have a Father, who loves me unconditionally, who wants to protect and guide me, who is intimately acquainted with all my ways, who truly will never leave me or forsake me.
I learned that in Hebrew law, a person can disown a blood relative, but never disown a adopted child.
I am His, He is mine.

Cry out for the Spirit of Adoption!! May the eyes of your heart see and know you are His precious child and may you know the fullness of what that means.