Adoption and the Hobbit

      A year ago,Gabby,Danni and I ventured out with my sister and my two nieces to see 'The Hobbit:The Desolation of Smaug'.J.R.R.Tolkien writes allegories very well and so many of them can refer to adoption and the challenges and adventure of it's many twists and turns. I got very excited and encouraged by the story,I wanted to share it with you all,that it perhaps,would encourage you too. I don't know how much you know about The Hobbit,as I will admit,I am learning a lot from my two nieces who have read  and reread all J.R.R.Tolkien's books.

        There is this hobbit,Bilboa Baggins, who loves his safe,cozy,quiet home in the Shire.Everything is peaceful.The villagers are simple,kind folk and good natured. One day,an old family friend named Gandalf, pays Bilboa Baggins a visit,asking him to go on an adventure with him and these 12 dwarfs who are wanting to claim the mountain that was rightfully theirs,but was taken over by a dragon. Bilboa Baggins thinks about this and is interested until one of the dwarfs hands him a contract that says,".....time spent,funeral arrangements,he might have lacerations,and be incinerated." One of the dwarfs says,"Think furnace with wings." Then Bilboa passes out! When Bilboa comes to, he tells Gandalf,"No", he won't go. Gandalf  then says,"When did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important?" The next morning Bilboa wakes up to a quiet house.Peaceful. No dancing,singing,adventurous talking dwarfs.Just quiet.....Bilboa goes from room to room,and seems content for just a moment and then remembers the lure of adventure just the night before.He signs the contract and runs to catch up with the dwarfs and Gandalf. While starting out on the journey,Bilboa states they,"have to go back to the Shire,"as he forgot his handkerchief. One of the dwarfs tares off a part of his old,dirty jacket and throws it to Bilboa to use as a hankie. Gandalf says to Bilboa,"You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs and a good many other things Bilboa Baggins,before we reach your journey's end.You were born to the rolling hills and the rivers of the Shire.But home is now behind you,the world is ahead......"

        ADOPTION is just that....an adventure.After looking over the contract,knowing we have to come up with money,listening to certain family and friends  comment on how crazy we are or just discouraging us at every opportunity,the unknown child[ren] we will pursue, risking getting hurt in the process, we long for that adventure deep within and signing the contract,we rush out the door on the adventure called Adoption! The journey we take in adoption, takes us further and further away from what we know. Comfort,familiarity and peace.We now become a target to the enemy,like Bilboa Baggins. Nothing is as it seems any longer. But we are still driven to this adventure.Could it be that we are called to this? Something that the LORD wants us to partake of? He wants to share something very intimate with us who share in the adventure called Adoption.

          Peter was just like that,as well. He saw Jesus walking out to the boat....on water! He wanted to share in that adventure,that experience and Jesus wanted Peter to partake of that.There was one stipulation though....Peter had to keep his eyes on Jesus or he would sink! Throughout the adoption process,we have to keep our eyes on Jesus to relish this adventure,to savor the fullness  of what Jesus is wanting to share with us.I am learning that even now,I am still on this adventure even though we are back safely, with all our children.These are the same children that satan tried so hard to keep from getting home.Now they are home and the attacks still come. I am realizing that the process to 'go get them' was preparing us for the WHOLE journey....the raising and telling them about Jesus,living out the Gospel before their eyes.Praying over their salvation,over them daily is all a part of the adventure and the 'going' is the preparation for the long journey...their Spiritual lives.

       Actually,there are so many more allegories of adoption in The Hobbit. I have been encouraged and wanted to pass this on to you who have adopted or are in the process of adoption.Money needed,encouragement scarce,doubt about your ability to stay the course are all the raging seas that we are not supposed to look down at.We must keep our eyes FIXED on Jesus. He invites us on this journey and He will see us through the dark forces of evil,just like Bilboa Baggins and the dragon.....


         One thing I forgot to add....in the beginning Gandalf says,"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging,and it's VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND ANYONE."Bilboa Baggins replies,"I should think so in these parts! We are plain,quiet folk and have no use for adventures.Nasty,disturbing,uncomfortable things!Make you late for dinner"!