We toured the orphanage and saw what I expected.
The facility was small with large dormitory-style rooms for both boys and girls. We were touched by the caregivers who did their best to handle over two hundred children. Our hearts raced as we anticipated meeting the boys we hoped to adopt.
The next day found us in court to finalize the adoption. During the hearing, the judge asked each boy if they wanted to be adopted. They both sobbed and nodded. This confirmed my suspicion that we were about to adopt two broken boys.
As I reflected on our sons’ brokenness, I realized all of us are broken in God’s eyes. Unfulfilled dreams? Par for the course. Misbehaviors? Guilty as charged. Rough backgrounds? God knows it all. Nothing takes God by surprise. Knowing how broken I am, I am amazed that God loves me despite my imperfections.
Two forms of brokenness exist. The first is inflicted on us through others’ abuse. The other comes from realizing how we stack up in God’s eyes. While the former can humble us, the latter chooses to show humility before God Almighty. This kind of brokenness is not the expression of a low self-image or a lack of self-confidence (“I am as worthless as dirt!”). Rather, it is accepting God’s assessment of us as sinners.
Our brokenness is the sacrifice God looks for. He does not look for perfect people but for those who know they need a Savior. Brokenness becomes the right starting point for a relationship with Him. He just waits for us to recognize we are incomplete without Him.
When our kids wailed, I knew instinctively what to do—hold them close. God wants us to bring our brokenness to Him. He wants to comfort us because we are His children.
Let God have your brokenness.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Marcellus George is an author and a professor of theology. He and his wife are thankful for their adopted twin sons. He enjoys writing and reflecting on all the things God has done for us in adopting us. You can connect with him on his website, "Lessons From the Adoptive Journey," at https://marcellusgeorge.com.