I recently ran across a quote that said, “There is no version of adoption that is uncomplicated, and there is no version that is not also beautiful.”
That’s an apt description of Zae’s story. And yesterday, that little boy added a page to his story that changed everything. He became a part of his forever family.
In September of 2024, the Troop family received a call asking them to accept a nine-month-old baby boy into their home as a foster child. They’d recently said “yes” to fostering several other children, but for reasons only the Lord knew, all of those opportunities had fallen through. The Troops were ready and available, so baby Zae moved in.
The first week was rough. At nine months old, this precious boy had already learned to be self-protective. The abuse he’d suffered caused him to be very guarded – refusing to take a bottle from Ashlee or Tim and never smiling. But over the course of the next week, trust began to blossom. Tim cautiously noted, “I think he’s starting to let his guard down.”
Over a two-year journey, there were lots of ups and downs.
Initially, Zae’s birth mom wasn’t able to be located. But when she was, weekly supervised visits between Zae and his mom were established. Ashlee was present for those visits, and Zae’s mom displayed anger and a clear dislike for her.
The caseworker assigned to Zae’s case was difficult to work with, but God orchestrated the eventual assignment of a new caseworker who was committed to helping Ashlee and Zae’s mom work together for reunification.
God also provided Ashlee with a heart for Zae’s mom, and He continued to reveal ways that Ashlee could love her well. Ashlee didn’t understand it. It felt so unnatural. But in spite of challenging behaviors, Ashlee determined to be obedient to the Lord and to choose love.
God was at work. Slowly, Zae’s mom began to trust Ashlee.
The day came when Zae was returned to his mom. The Troops were uncomfortable, feeling strongly that this wasn’t in Zae’s best interest. But Ashlee felt God telling her, “Keep loving Zae, and keep loving his mom the best you can.”
Fortunately, for seven months, a co-parenting arrangement was made, allowing the Troops to care for Zae on a regular basis. During that season, his mom saw that the Troops were truly for Zae and that they loved him dearly.
After seven months, Zae’s mom called Ashlee to say, “I can’t do this anymore.” She asked the Troops to adopt him. God had shown Ashlee, Tim, and their family how to love her well, and her heart had been transformed from intense dislike to a heart willing to entrust her son to their family.
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Ashlee knows the stories of the other children her family has fostered have had different outcomes, but she believes the truth of this verse not only for Zae, but for those children, too. This journey has only solidified her belief that God is trustworthy in all He does.
At yesterday’s adoption ceremony, Zae received not only a new forever family, but a new name as well. He was originally named after a man who was a party to the horrific abuse he’d sustained as an infant. Wanting to continue with his nickname of “Zae,” the Troops landed on “Isaiah.” “Isaiah” translates to “The Lord is my salvation.”
Ashlee reflected on the rich meaning behind Zae’s new name, citing Isaiah 49:15-16a: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands…” The book in the Bible titled “Isaiah” is centered around God’s redemption and restoration of His beloved. Zae’s story reflects those same themes.
Zae’s original name is from a part of his life that is no more. Now, his life and his name have been redeemed and made new! It’s a perfect presentation of the gospel story – for the world, for you and me, for the Troops, and for Zae. And as Ashlee says (and she’s so right!), it’s beautiful.
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I praise You, Lord - Father to the fatherless, Defender of the vulnerable, Strength for the weak. Through my belief in Jesus, You’ve given me the right to become Your child. You’ve adopted me into Your eternal family. How merciful and full of grace You are! Because of Your great love for me, I can approach Your throne of grace with confidence, crying out to You, “Abba! Father!” You’re the God Who saw me on the auction block of slavery to sin and stepped in to redeem me and call me Your own. I rightfully accept my claim as Your daughter through the saving work of Jesus. Thank You for grafting me into Your family – fully accepted, fully loved, fully Yours. In the beautiful Name of Jesus and with a daughter’s heart full of gratitude to her Father, amen. (Psalm 68:5, Deuteronomy 10:18, Proverbs 23:11, John 1:12, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:7)
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Thank you for joining in this week’s Scripture memory challenge as we commit to our hearts and minds Psalm 100. This week’s passage is Psalm 100:1-2.
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!” - Psalm 100:1-2 (ESV)
