Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Adoption


Over the past many years, it seems that I have heard more about adoption than I ever have. My life has been touched by adoption on many levels. I've seen it done well, I've seen the adoption be received by the children adopted with gratitude, I've seen the adoptee struggle over the biological parent's perceived rejection, and struggle to embrace the love and care of the adoptive parent, I've felt the loss of a sibling I never knew, I've faced adoption as a potential option in an unexpected pregnancy, along with many other situations.


In all the scenarios I've seen, none seem to be more painful than the ones where either a child was adopted for reasons other than a pure desire to love, nurture, and train a child and launch them into adulthood, or the ones where the parent strives to truly be a parent to the child and the child simply won't have it, they are so hung up on the loss of the biological parent who simply couldn't or wouldn't play the role the child longed for them to play, and has built a fantasy about, so the adoptive parent never quite seems to make the cut. The child continually rejects the parents love and won't forgive for mistakes. There seems to be no ability in this type scenarios for the adoptee to step back and take an objective look at the fact that they were born to one individual, and another, who had no REAL moral responsibility to them made a clear, decisive decision to take that person on as their own, to make a commitment that is binding in every way, and make that person their child.


Recently I had opportunity to touch the heartache of what it is like to have a parent that really never signed up for the role, and did just enough to keep the child alive. I grappled with what I was seeing, the injustice of it all, the heart of the child toward the parent, the loyalty and unconditional love they felt for the parent, and the understanding of what a child needs from a parent beyond food, water, shelter, and enough clothing to get by. I was asking questions that demanded answers. I was talking to my husband about my struggle and in usual fashion, he challenged me to view this whole thing from another angle, to ask questions other than the one I was asking. Quite simply, he asked me to ask the Lord "Why would you bother to adopt this individual? Why would you bother to be as faithful to this person as you have been? Why would you bother to step in to such a messy situation and care, love, rescue, provide for, and redeem?" As I began to ponder these questions, that demanded an answer from ME. I had to conclude that the Lord loves this individual more than I can really ever know, that He cares more than I can fathom, and that my questions are all coming from the wrong perspective, they are questions that really have no satisfactory answer this side of Glory.


As my perspective has begun to shift, I have thought much about what it looks like in adoptive families when a child embraces an adoptive parent, when they are appreciative for the love and care that they have been given, it requires me to put away childish thinking.


Thank you Father for adopting me, for grafting me in. Teach me to relax in that, and live from it.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Need More!

My suburban homesteading middle child (John Deere) declared that last year's raised bed was simply not enough room for him. He appealed to his father and I to allow him another plot, real land. We granted him his request and the Dawg tilled up his plot this afternoon. John Deere and I ran to Lowe's this evening to pick up cinder blocks ($1.39 each) and landscape timbers (on sale for $1.97 each) a total cost of about $40 for a fence (of sorts) that will keep our dog out, and will allow us to put up netting to deter any other unwelcome "guests". I will keep you updated on this venture through this growing season.















Thursday, March 12, 2009

Sunday, March 8, 2009


Spring is on the way. This sparks a hope that is so fresh, yet feels vulnerable.
I'm so ready to get out in the dirt, plant seeds, water, and weed, then watch the Lord work His remarkable plan of creation out in front of me. Just when I start to doubt that the seeds I planted will sprout, up they pop. The Lord really is faithful. He is true, and He is more kind than we can fathom. He loves us so.


Lord teach me to love you more, and better.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

It Is Well With My Soul

Horratio Spafford
1873

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,No pang shall be mine,
for in death as in lifeThou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Totally RandomThoughts


*Why is it that when I try to get up earlier that my children get up earlier too?


*God is very big and in control, even when things around me seem to be spinning out of control.


*The heart is far more fragile than most would believe and yet more tenacious than we can fathom.


*I love suprises.


*I miss the garden.


*God's creation brings a comfort like nothing else. A healing balm.


*Discipline is under-rated.


*You just never know what someone else may be battling, what kind of shadows they may be chasing, or what ghosts they may be sparring with.


*The Lord really does have our days numbered and is in absolute control over our lives ultimately.


*I am so very thankful for the man I married and the particular 3 children the Lord so graciously gifted us with.


*We may be getting a new roof today.


*I want snow.


*Sometimes I want to move far, far away.


*If we don't go out to dinner tonight, it's baked potatoes and salad.


*I need more coffee and a shower.