Chosen

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 8^th 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!