Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore was on my very first book list back in 2015. At that time, we were years deep into an adoption process that ultimately did not result in any children being added to our family. This was one of the first adoption books Cody read, and he urged me to read it too. If it has Cody's stamp of approval, I know it's going to be good. So I put it on my very first book list and looked forward to reading it.
But I didn't read it. And the next year, when our adoption came to a close, I gave a lot of our adoption books away. Not this one though. I knew I needed to read it eventually, and this year as I went through all the books from the lists of years past and saw this one, I knew it was time. So I got my tissues ready and prepared myself to cry my way through this book.
Russell Moore and his wife are the parents of four boys, two adopted and two born to them naturally. In his outstanding book, Moore details the way they were led to adopt their two sons from Russia. He talks about the practicalities of having both adopted and biological children, and how people can unthinkingly ask the most insane or personal questions...even in front of your kids. He helps the reader to think through questions he or she should be asking themselves when thinking about adopting. And he even covers the intimidating aspect of paperwork and finances that every adoptive couple must face no matter what type of adoption they're considering.
But the value of this book isn't in any of that. The subject I found myself brought to tears over was Moore's thorough treatment of the Biblical doctrine of adoption. How we, estranged and cut off from God because of our sin, have been lovingly brought into His family. How He reached out for us and saved us. How He gave us a new name and a perfect home with Him. Honestly, I'm crying right now thinking of it. The redemptive work God has done in my own life by adopting me and making me His child is so beyond my comprehension. I pray I never lose the wonder of it. As Christians, when we think of adoption it must always be two-fold. Earthly adoption should absolutely reflect the heavenly work God did in adopting us.
I appreciate that Moore is clear in his book that not everyone is called and equipped to adopt, but that as Christians we do have the responsibility to advocate for adoption. Cody and I have been blessed to support friends and family through the adoption process, and adoption is something we will always be passionate about.
A lot of negative reviews I've seen about Adopted for Life seem to accuse Moore of being flippant about adopted children's birth countries or histories or heritages. I did not find this to be the case. For one thing, it is very clear to me that Moore has thoughtfully and lovingly made every choice he has made for his family with his children's best interests at the heart of those decisions. For another thing, no two families are exactly the same and the way different families choose to rear their children are not going to look identical. You don't have to agree with Moore's every last opinion in how to raise children to benefit from this book. Moore himself is quick to point out that how his family is doing life is not the only way, nor should it be. But he is uncompromising about Bible truth and adoption theology, and the parallels he draws between heavenly and earthly adoption are beautiful and solid.
I could write about this topic for a very long time. But suffice it to say: if you or someone in your family is considering adoption, sure, read this book. But more importantly, if you are a child of God, saved by grace, by all means, read this book. Adopted for Life is not just for the couple considering adoption. It is for every Christian.
Is there a book you like to recommend to people that seems to be about one thing, but you actually think everyone should read it?
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