For Such A Time as This ...

Marcus and I have been blessed with a healthy son on earth and two beautiful girls in heaven. We long to parent another precious child and nurture him or her the way Mordecai did in the Old Testament book of Esther.  Come remember this courageous story with me!

I open these pages with my third grade class and each time I’m intrigued with the picture of adoption God highlights.  A heart for children to be welcomed into a loving home is clearly displayed.  How do we know?  Cousin Mordecai adopted his relative, an orphan girl named Hadassah, also known as Esther.  This beautiful name Esther means ‘star’ it and foreshadows the radiance with which a young, God-fearing Jew will shine in a troubled palace and across the land of Susa.  When I picture Esther, I imagine her exuding light and brilliance into the room because of the beautiful work within her. 

Cousin Mordecai had compassion on the child, welcomed her into his home. I envision him more like an uncle, weary with his own work and obligations, yet eager to make time and room for another.  Ch.2:7 “Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother.  This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovey in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.”   There is no doubt this wise man raised Esther as a reverent Jew.  He not only mentored her, but became a valuable source of godly wisdom to her in a dark season of history. He reminded her of truth when lies were brewing and the enemy was making forward strides.

No one knew that when God looked at that orphan girl, he saw a beautiful queen.  When the world saw a poor, fatherless child, the Lord saw a courageous warrior for his people.  And when others saw a lonely, left-behind little one, God had a hero in mind – a woman that would lay her life on the line to rescue her nation!  When humans would have easily overlooked Esther, God was preparing this ordinary orphan girl to rise up as a valuable vessel for His Kingdom.  It was because of the incredible work of a Heavenly Father (and an earthly cousin with a huge heart for adoption) that an evil plot was uncovered, a new plan was declared, and the Jewish nation was preserved.

Esther 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place … And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?

Esther, the beautiful Star, knew her purpose and calling.  She was secure in her identity as an adopted daughter and royal member of God’s family first.  Next, she saw her earthly position in royalty as a calling not for personal glory but for loftier purposes.  She was a queen with a bold voice and wise intelligence for a specific time and season.  Esther was set apart for such a time as this to make history and fulfill God's call on her life.

I admire her faithful caregiver, Mordecai, who dedicated his life to pouring into his adopted daughter.  I pray Marcus and I can resemble Mordecai and selflessly graft a child into our home, while speaking truth and wisdom often.  I also pray the child chosen to enter our forever family shines like a radiant star with a clear purpose on this earth.  May this little one be secure in his/her adoption journey and believe in faith they are destined for high callings!

Please share our contact information with anyone interested in adoption (jerams@gmail.com). Want to partner with us financially?  Go to www.adopttogether.org and search Gillette family.