"Love Them Like Jesus"

This past Sunday, a soloist sang "Love Them Like Jesus", by Casting Crowns, in our worship service. Very early in the process to adopt Lily, I heard this song, and the lyrics had a big impact on me.

The verses are not about adoption, but all I really hear is the chorus, which to me, screams, "ADOPTION"! In fact, for me, this song speaks more about adoption than many songs specifically written about the topic. (I even sent an email to Mark Hall, of Casting Crowns, suggesting an "adoption version", but I doubt that really went anywhere!) Here are the lyrics. The ones in red are what I hear:

"The love of her life is drifting away
They’re losing the fight for another day
The life that she’s known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart

You’re holding her hand, you’re straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She’s desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She’s looking to you

Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus

The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to grey
As the little one slips away

You’re holding their hand, you’re straining for words
You’re trying to make sense of it all
They’re desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They’re looking to you

Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus

The Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus"
(C) 2005 Club Zoo Music

When I hear the first block of chorus, I see my daughter's face. I see her in an orphanage, waiting for a family. I see her and I on family day, as I tried to comfort her and ease her fears and confusion. I see her as a young lady, with questions about her past that have no easy answers. But, I don't have to have all the answers or be the perfect parent. I just need to "...stay by her side". I just need to "...love her like Jesus".

When I hear the second block of chorus, I see the faces of the millions of yet unadopted orphans. Can you see them? "They're desperate for hope... they're looking to you". No, you may not have all the answers. You may not be the perfect parent. You may be afraid to step out and risk loving an orphan. But, all you need to do is "...stay by their side". Just "...love them like Jesus".

Can you?

Will you?