Issues of blood and spirit

[Michael19682]

Who do adopted children belong to? Our records say they belong (as children) to the adopted parents and have full rights under the law; are to be treated in all respects as natural children. Aside from their legal rights, which we have automartically given to them by law, is this an undue burden to place on adoptive parents? How do you ‘treat’ a child in all repects as your natural child? Are the cards stacked against such relationships?

 

[John_Martin]

Who do adopted children belong to? Our records say they belong (as children) to the adopted parents and have full rights under the law; are to be treated in all respects as natural children. Aside from their legal rights, which we have automartically given to them by law, is this an undue burden to place on adoptive parents? How do you ‘treat’ a child in all repects as your natural child? Are the cards stacked against such relationships?

Undue…not at all; it is a welcome “burden”.

Delight is found in the child,

• the intellect sees “this child is truly ours”;
• the reason declares “it is good to be a family with this child” and
• Love becomes the moving principle in the will, moving all actions in relation to the child such that this family is objectively real and known.
• and there is Joy

Do you think the Father says, Jesus is my “real” son, and Michael is only my legally adopted son? Not at all; He says, “Michael is my real son, in whom I delight.” Jesus says, “Michael is my real brother, whom I love”.

The old saying, “blood is thicker than water” does not mean “blood relations are more binding”. It really means “the blood of a covenant (from the sacrificed animals of a covenant) is more binding than the water of childbirth wherein family-ties bind.”
Adoption is a covenant. Natural birth requires faith to make its bond strong, just as adoption requires faith.

John Martin

 

[Michael19682]

Undue…not at all; it is a welcome “burden”.

Delight is found in the child,

• the intellect sees “this child is truly ours”;
• the reason declares “it is good to be a family with this child” and
• Love becomes the moving principle in the will, moving all actions in relation to the child such that this family is objectively real and known.
• and there is Joy

Do you think the Father says, Jesus is my “real” son, and Michael is only my legally adopted son? Not at all; He says, “Michael is my real son, in whom I delight.” Jesus says, “Michael is my real brother, whom I love”.

The old saying, “blood is thicker than water” does not mean “blood relations are more binding”. It really means “the blood of a covenant (from the sacrificed animals of a covenant) is more binding than the water of childbirth wherein family-ties bind.”
Adoption is a covenant. Natural birth requires faith to make its bond strong, just as adoption requires faith.

John Martin

I guess it also will depend on the social context of the environment in which the adoption takes place. Life very early takes us beyond the immediate and extended family.
My pessimism is probably related to an imaginary child raising experience that I just assumed would be easier for a natural parent. “Like father like son” not because of imitated behavioural patterns, but b’c of genetics.

 

[John_Martin]

I guess it also will depend on the social context of the environment in which the adoption takes place. Life very early takes us beyond the immediate and extended family.
My pessimism is probably related to an imaginary child raising experience that I just assumed would be easier for a natural parent. “Like father like son” not because of imitated behavioural patterns, but b’c of genetics.

Hmmm…
EASY - PARENTING
those words don’t seem to belong together.
Genetics provides a minimum of humanity.
Parenting with love provides a maximum person.

John Martin