The Adoption File That Was Already Open

In 2019, a couple in Nashville named David and Maria Torres finally completed the adoption of their daughter, Lily, from foster care. The process had taken three years of paperwork, home visits, and courtroom dates. But when they received Lily's full case file, one detail stopped them cold.

Tucked inside was a handwritten note from their social worker, dated months before David and Maria had even submitted their application. It read: "I believe I already know the family for this child." The caseworker had met them at a community event, watched how they interacted with children, and quietly began laying the groundwork — connecting references, flagging their profile — before the couple even knew a little girl named Lily existed.

Lily had been chosen before she knew she was wanted. The paperwork was already in motion while she was still wondering if anyone would ever call her "daughter."

Paul tells the Ephesians that God "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" and "predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:4-5). This was not a last-minute rescue. Before you drew your first breath, before the stars were flung into place, the Almighty had already written your name into His family. The file was open. The decision was made. Not because of anything you had done, but — as Paul says — "according to the good pleasure of His will."