Matthew's adoption, and ours!

So we officially adopted Matthew at the Ethiopian embassy yesterday. Some important things happened as a result of his being adopted. Here are a few highlights. If you are a Christ-follower, this list should seem very familiar. That’s because each of these things has happened to you. As you read the list, consider how each translates to our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God! Is it really any wonder why God chose to use adoption as a primary metaphor for the Christian experience?

He got his first new pair of clothes. (Transformation)
Oh yea, he loves his new duds. They took us to a store that was kind of like a Gap Kids, Ethiopia-style. Everything was overpriced, but too cute not to buy. Matthew kept pointing to the clothes, and then to himself, as if to ask: are these really mine? He kept touching his new sneakers and made us take pictures of him posing with them.

He gets to eat more than he ever dreamed. (Provision)
Forget about 3 squares a day, this little boy can pack it away! A 5 year old that weighs less than 40 lbs. should not be able to out-eat me. But there it is. I’m guessing he will gain 10 lbs. before he makes it home to the states.

He got a new name. (Identity)
At the embassy, they officially changed his name to Mathewos Robert Tucker. His first name stays the same, his middle name is automatically taken from the father, and the last name is the family name. (We intend to officially change his name to Matthew in the states.)

He is learning a new language. (Prayer)
At first we didn’t think Matthew would talk. He seemed so quiet and shy. But when another adopted boy from his same village entered the guest house, the words came running out. We are already trying to teach him English, but he’s a boy, and as such is more interested in blocks.

He received a new Father. (Belonging)
(And a new mother, but hey, I’m trying to make this all spiritual and stuff.) It was really tender and cool that Matthew didn’t call me daddy until right after the embassy that made him officially our son. We were waiting outside for our ride and he called me Ababa (daddy)...Not to be confused with Abeba, which means flower. (Although I am pretty, and I do smell nice.)