Walter MacFarlane (no relation) and Alan Robinson were both born in Honolulu, Hawaii in the 1940s, just 15 months apart. The men formed a bond as young boys during their days in school that has lasted all these years.
Our story starts with Walter. He was given up for adoption by his mother. To this day, he has no idea why. When the mother’s parents found out about this, they “decided “to hanai” their grandson, part of a Hawaiian practice in which a family can adopt a person informally, with or without papers.”1 Walter was cared for and lived a good life as a kid.
Fifteen months later, Alan Robinson was born and immediately given up for adoption as well. He also landed in a loving adoptive home.
The boys first met in the 6th and became friends immediately. Their friendship was forged easily as they found out that they just lived up the road from each other. They were athletes, playing football in high school. Once they graduated, they remained close friends. Both men married, had families, and those families vacationed together.
A few years prior to 2016, Alan received an interesting birthday gift. He received a DNA swab kit from 23andMe and Ancestry. Since he was put up for adoption at birth, he never knew his birth parents. His curiosity about his ancestry was piqued when having to answer medical questions that asked for family history. He didn’t know his family background and thought he should, at least for the sake of his kids.
In 2016, Walter’s daughters goaded him into doing the same thing for the same reasons. Everyone needed answers. When the results came back, Walter said it showed that he had connections to about 800 people. Believing it wasn’t very conclusive, he just ignored it. However, the daughters took the results and started digging. The closest match was to someone identified only as Robi737.
Alan was a pilot for Aloha Airlines. He flew 737s. His user name? Robi737. The best friend Walter had for over 60 years was actually his half-brother. The men had the same mother! And what a celebration they’ve had ever since!
While the analogy has some differences, think about this verse. Romans 8:15 says, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
We have brothers and sisters out there that we’ve never met! Our spiritual DNA is the same. We all have the same father. Can you imagine what a reunion is going to take place some day in Heaven?!?!?
There is a powerful verse in the Revelation that anticipates that day. As you read it, try to imagine having met the family at this grand reunion, meeting brothers and sisters you never knew you had, and the joy that must be around the throne of God.
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (10) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
1https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/27/health/friends-brothers-dna-discovery-hawaii-trnd/index.html
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