by Dr. Grant Scarborough
He was an old white man living in a racially divided city, the city where Martin Luther King was shot and killed. Racial relationships were strained at best and the only thing people could agree on in the entire city was Elvis and BBQ. But I had lived there for a few years and had begun to understand the unspoken rules.
So when I saw the older man in the hospital, I was a little confused. After I met him, I turned around and saw a younger black woman in there as well. “Hmmm—who is she?” I thought. She was very attentive. She asked a few questions. “Maid? Caregiver?” She really did not act like either one.
Everyday I came to check on my new friend. Everyday she was there. He slowly improved. She took notes. She would talk to the patient about details. I examined him every day. He was slowly improving, but I was so curious.
I could not take it anymore—I turned to the old white man in the bed, “Sir, who is this young black lady in the room everyday.” He looked at the girl with a twinkle in his eye, smiled and then said, “Doctor, I have two daughters, one of them is adopted and I know not which one she is.”
What great love!
If you are a Christian—a believer in Christ—can you see and smell the gospel in this story? Do you realize what Christ has done for you? Because of his great love for you, because of his rescue of mankind by dying on the cross; because of his blood spilled and covering your skin, you too can hear the same words.
You will stand, one day, in front of the God of heaven and earth and beside you will be your elder brother, Jesus. And God Himself will look down and say, “I see two children before me, one of them is adopted and I know not which one it is.”
When you are loved by God, you are loved completely. You are His Child. He loves you. He is proud of you. He turns His face to you in love, and with a twinkle in his eye, smiles and says, “Child, you are mine!”
Behold what manner of love the Father has for us, that we should be called sons and daughters of God, and that is what you are! AMEN.