THE UPPER ROOM ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 16th March 2023, Thursday Message. As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
By God’s Grace
Migdiel E. Pérez (Tennessee, USA)
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TODAY’S READING
Ephesians 1:3-10
KEY VERSE: [God] destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will. – Ephesians 1:5 (NRSV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 16th March 2023 MESSAGE
Our family embraced adoption several years ago, not as a second-best solution but as God’s plan for forming our family. Whether children have come into our homes through biological birth or adoption, love is what makes a family.
Our son, now nearing adulthood, came to our family on September 9, 2006. I became his father the first day I laid eyes on his little face in a picture. It is always such a joy to hear from my son’s lips the words, “Dad, I love you,” a vivid reminder of God’s love for me.
One of my greatest fears as an adult was becoming a father since I was a fatherless child myself. What kind of example or guidance would I give a child? It turned out that the shared experience of not having a biological father present in our lives created a stronger connection between my son and me. I can relate to so many of his questions and concerns.
God provided what I needed, and little by little all my fears melted away through love and patience. Being a father is an ongoing process of learning from new experiences and challenges, and I am not perfect. Every day I pray for God to help me be the best father I can be for my son so that he will have the tools and the assurance that God is there for him too.
TODAY’S PRAYER
O Lord, be with children who are waiting for a loving home and with families waiting for a child to call their own. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I am blessed to be part of God’s family.
PRAYER FOCUS
Families in the process of adoption
The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More
