“Hello Andrew, this is Donna…”

April 7, 2015. A 36-second voicemail.

“Hello Andrew, this is Donna…”

Donna, a Social Worker in Denver was reaching out to Andrew and Chrissy, certified foster parents on Donna’s list.

“I wanted to speak with one of you about a potential foster care placement…”

A potential placement.

A little boy.

Breathtaking blue eyes. Enviable curls.

A placement.

An 18-month “pregnancy” and now a potential placement has a delivery date.

A courtroom. A judge. An adoption.

April 2015 to September 2016.

Sweet little Drew… handcrafted in the womb of a woman who is loved by God. A woman who courageously chose to usher this little lad to life.

Now entrusted to stewards. To Andrew and Chrissy.

What will be made official in September 2016 was long ago made permanent. Love does that. Indelible ink from the pen of God.

Andrew and Chrissy jumped without a safety net. They loved without guardrails. We followed their lead.

Our 9^th grandchild. Our one and only Drew.

Genetically disconnected, but embedded… the spitting image… a chip off the old block… Drew.

He’s all boy… much to the delight and chagrin of his three sisters. He bites, he pulls, he drinks from puddles, he smashes, he snatches… because that’s what 18-month-old brothers do.

And as “Pops” in Drew’s life, I’ve come to realize that I need Drew more than he needs me. Through this little man I catch a fragmental glimpse of my Father’s love for me.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1a

Adopted. Loved.

Beyond comprehension, but true.

From potential placement to heir.

Not by birth certificate, but by grace.

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5

This is what he wanted to do.

Great pleasure indeed.

“Hello Andrew, this is Donna…”