A true story of Grace

by

My wife Janet and I were invited to attend an adoption hearing in court today.  To be honest, we were so out of place in the courthouse that we took the wrong set of stairs.  Then, I got so turned around that I actually had to look someone in the eyes and ask for directions!  Finally, through the metal detector and to the right, an armed bailiff met us at the door and picked up on our disorientation, so he asked me if we were there for this specific case, to which I confidently stated, “I think so.” When we took our seat on the back row, I saw the face of the man who had invited us siting on the hot seat.  I didn’t know what to expect, thinking it might be just like on TV.  It was similar in some ways to a television courtroom, but disimilar in several other ways.

First, we were not there to hear evidence of a crime, but to witness an act of unconditional love.  Sean, then his wife Emily, was on the witness stand to voluntarily and permanently take care of someone else’s baby.  They were there to legally turn an unwanted pregnancy into a beloved member of their family.   It felt more like a church service than a legal proceeding.  Maybe that was because adoption is one of the clearest Biblical demonstrations of genuine Christianity:  “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans…” (James 1:27).

This courtroom drama was not a scripted act – this was the real deal.

A second distinction from a TV courtroom drama was the tears.   I’ve seen tears in TV courtroom scenes, but not from the judge!  Sean is a well-spoken, athletic, man’s man – until you ask him under oath why he wants to adopt a three month old girl who has been with them since the day she was born.  Tears of joy flowed from every corner of that courtroom when Sean tearfully spoke of his love and commitment to the girl who had been temporarily named “Grace.”

Upon rendering his decision to officially recognize this adoption, this judge commended the McCarrons for being “heroes.”  His-honor said that Sean and Emily should be put on a billboard as examples of what young people should aspire to be like when they grow up, as opposed to celebrity athletes.  Judges, attorneys, courtroom officials and law enforcement personnel have to hear about unspeakable crimes of abuse and abandonment on a daily basis.  This was clearly an exceptional and inspiring case.  I noticed the stenographer trying to work and dry her tears at the same time, only to find out later that she had adopted her son under almost the exact same circumstances thirty years earlier.

Real love, real tears, real grace.  “Grace” had been this beautiful girl’s temporary name until today.   Now her official name is  – Grace Morgan McCarron.  What is also permanent is the testimony that her name implies…no, declares.  Grace means “unmerited favor.”  Grace is when someone gives you something that you did not ask for, earn or deserve.

Grace is what separates Christianity from every other major world religion.  Christianity is based on grace, not works, because works don’t work.  Grace is when someone chooses to love us, not because we are good, but because God is good (Ephesian 2:8-9).

Today, the courtroom was a sanctuary.  Grace’s mother, father, brother and family will someday tell her this better-than-tv story about how she was chosen… how Grace was chosen by grace.  I suppose every adoption is a story of grace.  I consider it a privilege to have seen this story unfold today.

“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 NLT

37 Comments

  13. Judy Davis Weston
    Judy Davis Weston on February 23, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    “The courtroom was a sanctuary”…life painted with the brushstroke of His grace changes even the everyday places into “glory rooms”! Thanks for sharing in such a beautiful way.

    Reply
  15. Janie Heffington
    Janie Heffington on February 23, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    what a wonderful testimony and beautiful description of Grace! 🙂

    Reply
  17. Anthony Hendricks
    Anthony Hendricks on February 23, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    Great piece Mark…as an adoptive father of two, I was reminded of our own court appearances and the privilege that God has given us to step into His shoes for a bit and experience the joy of adoption. Thanks my Brutha!!!

    Reply
  19. Rick Summey
    Rick Summey on February 23, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Just like I remember your sermons. Had to use the handkerchief.

    Reply
  27. Sue K. Riner
    Sue K. Riner on February 24, 2013 at 2:35 am

    A beautiful true story of grace and so beautifully written. How exciting it will be to watch God’s plan for little Gracie unfold!

    Reply
  28. Donna Clawson
    Donna Clawson on February 24, 2013 at 5:47 am

    So many sad things, even tragic things, happen in court rooms. This is a wonderful story. Congratulations to the McCarrons! May their days be filled with “Grace”!

    Reply
  35. Rory Thompson
    Rory Thompson on February 25, 2013 at 3:31 am

    What an awesome testimony. Thank you Mark for sharing this.

    Reply

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