My Daughter by another Mother

“He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will--” (Ephesians 1:5).

Holding her arm he guided her through the crowd looking for his next victim. He delights in the reaction his clever words ignite as he introduces the beauty by his side, “This is my daughter by another mother.” Puzzled by this greeting the guests murmur to themselves; wondering what does this mean. Has he just shared a family secret—perhaps a scandal?! Who is this daughter he proudly owns before the unsuspecting guests?

Such was the scene at my reception as my father introduced my adopted sister to our wedding guests. Dad often enjoyed shocking people; causing them to laugh in bewilderment. There was truth coupled with brilliance in his words for she was born by another mother (and father). Although not legally ours she considered herself to be. She nicknamed herself “the seventh Singer” the last to join us six Singer kids.

She was the girl across the street who lived with her legal guardians—her aunt and uncle. She never called them mom and dad, but always referred to my parents as such. My brothers and sisters were claimed as hers. In a willing act of conscious choice an adoption of the heart took place; she became the fourth Singer daughter and my third sister. Our family had a new member to nurture and love.

Out of His great mercy and love, grafting children into His family has always been God’s plan. We are named as His bloodline only through belief in the blood sacrifice of His Son, not by our own merit. In an act of obedience and trust we surrender our will to God’s. Once born of physical parents we are now reborn by the Holy Spirit into a spiritually united family. He loves us and instructs us; setting our feet on the path of righteousness. We become citizens of His kingdom even while our bodies reside on Earth’s soil.

As Christ’s bride I picture Him smiling at the heavenly wedding feast we’ll share one day. What jubilation there will be when the Father introduces us sons and daughters by other mothers! His pride and joy will not be contained, just as my earthly father’s could not be when he spoke of my adopted sister. Until then, let us lovingly invite others to share in our magnificent inheritance by sharing the love of Jesus with them. “He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will--” (Ephesians 1:5).

Your fellow sojourner and herald for Christ,

Mary