Heavenly Implications of Embryo Adoption

I was hit by some of the weighty Heavenly implications of embryo adoption today, ones that have to do with the children that we adopt that perhaps won't get to experience birth.

During embryo adoption, several embryos, usually 2-4 are transferred at the same time. On occasion, all of the transferred embryos attach (implant) to the uterus successfully and twins, triplets and quadruplets get the birth that they were made to experience. However, this is not usually the norm. More often, at least one embryo doesn't survive either the thawing process.

Knowing this, we're not purposely sending a baby embryo to its death. As it currently is, they sit frozen with no chance, none at all at experiencing birth unless they are adopted by a couple. It is our prayer that every embryo that we adopt will experience a live birth, and we know families for whom this has happened. However, we know that it is rare for God to do this and we have to prepare for the fact that some (and perhaps all) of the embryos we adopt may not experience a live birth. It is a "risk" that we have to take, but it is one that is especially worth taking - for the embryos and for us.

Now Jennifer and I believe that babies who die, while having an inherited sin nature, are part of God's elect people. We believe that the grace of God applies the power of the sacrifice of Jesus on their behalf so that they immediately are ushered into Heaven. We don't believe this flippantly or sentimentally, but theologically. For great insight on the subject, take a look at this printed sermon by John MacArthur.

This being the case, we believe that God has a plan for each frozen child who is currently sitting in a storage container. That plan is either being birthed to a loving, adopting family on this current Earth or eternal life with a loving, adopting God in Heaven and on the New Earth yet to come. There is nothing but good in store for these children, even though most of the world views them as dispensable, good only for research and spare parts. The connecting line between their current state and the good that God has in store for them is an adopting family.

Now we pray and hope and think about our adopted babies experiencing birth, but what about the ones that God may have predestined for death during the transfer? Well, their entry into Heaven is dependent upon us reaching out to them and going through with the transfer. To turn that sentence around, God could be waiting for us to attempt this transfer so that some of his child(ren) can walk into the gates of Heaven and run into His arms. I guess when it comes to embryo adoption, I've always thought about either its Earthly implications or the future Heavenly and New Earth implications. I've seldom thought about way it could change Heaven before I get there. That I could be sending some of my children on ahead of me. That they could be showing me around Heaven when I get there.

What an awesome thought that Jennifer and I have probably been chosen as agents to literally bring children to God. Of course, death is a result of the Fall, but God is still sovereign over it and uses all of the results of the Fall and our sin for the ultimate good. He proved that by dying for Jennifer and myself and any of our to-be babies who may not experience birth. It is our prayer, and we ask you to join with us in this, that God will allow all of our transferred babies to experience birth. But if any don't, we know where they'll be. All of our babies will be adopted, either to our home in NC or to their Heavenly home with the Person for whom they were made to enjoy. Isn't God awesome?!

-Aaron