The images of adoption by...
Illustration
The images of adoption by God as children and the sense of fullness of time are reminiscent of pregnancy and one's due date. Once a child is conceived and the pregnancy is underway a particular relationship already exists between the parents and their unborn child. Their union has begotten this potential life and there exists a unique relationship between their being and that of the child. On the other hand, there is a tension between that journey toward birth already underway and the actual readiness of that child to, in fact, be born. The child needs to gestate, grow, and develop so as to be ready for its birth. If a child is born before its organs are prepared for life, then the child can die. Premature birth is a difficult and traumatic experience that necessitates special care. When a child is born in the fullness of the pregnancy period, as anticipated by the "due date," it is much easier to avoid complications.
