Paul (MacD) caught it - the story of the Old Testament is relevant to us. At the end he said it - Father God wants a connection with each of us. It is a story, and we are part of it. A planned, intended, integral part of it. The threads of a story weave together to create the picture. Remember the tapestry - look behind and there’s the relative mess  loose threads of differing lengths, knots, tangles .........

As we consider adoption & fostering this month there is a relative tension. Pain, separation, loss, alongside hope, redemption & healing. The same as living in the ‘now’ & ‘not yet’ of the Christian life. 

We are in the story - we have made good & poor choices, loved & not been able to, forgiven & struggled to forgive. As a family of God we are in each other’s stories. 

Adoption or fostering may not be for all of us but we can weave our threads in their story as God does his redeeming work in the kids affected, & their new family be it forever or temporary & indeed us, his church family. 

It is not an easy road for these children, to be taken away from all they’ve known & put in another family’s home & life. Can you imagine what it’s like for the children ? Close your eyes for a minute & imagine all that’s familiar being taken away ? Do you feel vulnerable ? Can we support those involved in adoption & fostering ? Praying regularly, a load of washing, a cooked meal, a hug, a fun distraction, some encouragement ? Meanwhile redemption works itself out in & amongst us all.