There are days in our lives that are etched in stone in our
memories or rather perhaps written on our hearts in permanent ink. On Mother’s Day, May 8th
2016 was one of those days for me! Many of our children at MCV (Michaels
Children’s Village) shouted “Happy Mother’s day, Mama Comella,” I have been
wished this before by family in regards to my nieces/nephews and the role I
have played in their lives, but never by so many children in their beautiful
childlike voices… It was such a heartwarming, yet surreal moment for me! The
reality of it all, these wonderful children saying this to me, it was a dream
becoming true!
As a child, about 4 years old or so, I told my mom that I
was going to adopt children when I was older and that they would be from Africa.
Now, 33 years later, twenty children call me Mama Comella and were wishing me a
Happy Mother’s Day! There was one girl in particular, she is 12 years old, who I am very close to,
she told me 3 times that day, “Happy Mother’s Day!” After the third time, she
came and sat by me as she said it and then she said something that has forever
changed my life. She said, “You are my Mama!” Tears welled up in my eyes, I
wanted to just weep in joy right there, but I contained myself so I didn’t seem
over-dramatic, I was so moved and I did weep later!
It is one thing to have a dream of adopting children, which
truly has been on my heart nearly my whole life. However, there is something
radically different and impactful when a child chooses you! Truly, I had no words at that
moment! We sat together, she was sitting on my lap. I did pull out my phone and suggest that we take a selfie of my
Daughter on Mother’s Day! She giggled and agreed!
I don’t know if I will ever adopt in the natural legal sense
or if it will be only in the spiritual sense. It really doesn’t matter to me,
each child that I am with is adopted by Father God and I am called to LOVE them
and Mother them as He would! But I
do know one thing, that she adopted me, I have chosen by her! It is the most
humbling, yet honoring thing I
believe has ever happened to me.
It reminds me of the scripture in Ephesians 1:5
For it was always in His perfect plan to adopt us as His delightful
children, so that His tremendous grace that cascades over us would bring Him
glory—for the same love he has for His Beloved One, Jesus, He has for us!!
We are chosen by
Father God, just like my beautiful daughter chose
me! He chose us before we knew how to
love, make good choices and He knew we would reject Him, nevertheless, He chose us anyway adopting us into His
Kingdom Family!! The thing that amazes me the most about this little girl
choosing me is that she has known me for about a year; she has seen my faults, the
ways I haven’t loved as well as I could have and yet, she still chose me! It is only the LOVE of Jesus in someone that can look
beyond all or our superficial ways, our mistakes (no matter how big or small it
is still the same to God) and see a heart that longs and desires to love! That
is what this beautiful girl did for me, she looked beyond my flaws and
wrongdoings and saw my heart with the eyes of a loving adopted Father since He
lives in her as well! May I encourage you today that you BELONG, you are
ADOPTED and radically LOVED by a Father in heaven who doesn’t condemn you, but
loves you! He sent His Son, Jesus in our place because you are invaluable to
Him and He CHOSE you knowing the
mistakes you have already made, you are currently making and will make in your
future and He says, you are Forgiven, it is PAID IN FULL by Jesus!! I choose you, receive my Love today!