As a
firefighter, he has been accustomed to breaking into burning buildings
to rescue people. But this rescue didn’t involve a burning building; it
involved bringing a little girl into his home so that he and his wife
could care for her.
The
Florida firefighter and his wife, who have concealed their identity, had
tried for years to have a baby of their own, but they were not able.
But now they have a daughter, even though she was birthed by another
mother. They view her as a gift from God.
It was
during an overnight shift in January 2023 when the firefighter heard an
alarm. The alarm came from the fire station’s Safe Haven drop box. The
Safe Haven box, one of 148 in the USA, is where a baby may be
surrendered safely and anonymously. The firefighter opened the box and
discovered a newborn baby girl. "I picked her up and held her. We
locked eyes, and that was it. I’ve loved her ever since that moment."
The
firefighter took the baby girl to the hospital and inquired about
adopting her. He left a note with the baby explaining to adoption
officials that he and his wife had completed the required classes in
Florida to be able to adopt a child and were registered to adopt.
In April
of 2023, the firefighter and his wife were able to adopt the little
girl. They named her Zoey which means “life.”
"The way
I found her... This was God helping us out," said the firefighter. And
Zoey is a part of a loving family, a true safe haven for her.
Because
of our sins, we were essentially orphaned – separated from God and
without hope (Isaiah 59:1-2). But God loves us and wants to adopt each
of us into His family.
The price
for our adoption was so high only God could pay the price for our
redemption. He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so
that through Him we can have the forgiveness of our sins and be added to
the Family of God (Ephesians 1:7; 2:13).
God will save from sin and adopt into His forever
family those who place their faith
and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin
in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31),
confess Jesus
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are
baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin
and provide a Safe Haven for those who continue to walk in the light of
His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
To some
who had accepted God’s offer of salvation and adoption, the Apostle Paul
wrote: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but
you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children
of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with
Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified
together” (Romans 8:15-17).
Jesus is
the true Safe Haven. Having paid the price for your adoption, He
invites you to become a part of God’s family. God sees you, loves you,
and wants you to be a part of His family.
-- David
A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from “Florida firefighter
adopts baby anonymously dropped off at Safe Haven: 'Gift from God'” by
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten of Fox News,
www.foxnews.com.
David A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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