One word makes such a difference.

As a mom of biological and adopted children, I have winced at the question, "Are they all yours?" Yes, they are all mine. God always knew they would be my children. God always knew DH & I would be their parents. He always knew exactly what our family would look like. He always knew that adoption is the greatest thing ever.

I grew up in church. Became a Christian at the age of six. I understood my sinful nature and Christ's sacrifice to redeem me. I knew the price that was paid, and I knew that I was an adopted child of God. But I did not know the power of ADOPTION until we adopted our two youngest.

Did you know that in biblical times, a father could disown his biological children, leaving them nothing, giving no blessing, but by law, he was not allowed to disown an adopted child. Adoption is serious, life-long commitment of love ... LIFE-LONG.

So, now we get down to that "one word," and it's not "adoption" although that one word does make a world of difference.

P1 is participating in Bible Drill this year through our church. They memorize the NIV version of their Bible verses. A challenge sometimes for this mom that learned her verses in King James as a child.

This last week's verse was John 3:16. What a great verse to have at the start of the Christmas season! And he quoted the NIV version: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

I think this version of this verse must hurt God's heart. His one and only son? I know for a fact that God has two adopted sons living in this house and an adopted daughter. And hopefully in not too many years, there will be another adopted son and daughter as the younger two come to understand Christ's love and sacrifice.

NIV messed up when they left out the word "begotten" from the verse. I would never describe P1 as my one and only son. I would see it as an insult from anyone who did. I have two sons and a daughter. Leaving out that one word "begotten" changes everything. For, if I am not a child of God, then who am I? No, I know I am a daughter of The King.

Yes, God SO loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son that whoever believes in him will not perish and have eternal life!

How much is "SO?"

So much more than we will ever know.

Merry Christmas!