So, we all know that there's a risk that comes with wearing your heart on your sleeve. I myself have always been a big fan of "over sharing." I don't mind putting myself out there. I guess that's obvious...since I blog. That said, I am very, very, deeply, seriously, shy. I swear it. Just ask Tim.
On second thought, don't.
In High School, I pushed my shyness aside and put myself out there by asking the boy to prom, after college, I recruited recruited recruited until I had enough people to form a small tribe of faithful soldiers to go into the shelters with me every Friday night. After that, I may or may not have gone on a blind date just for the "practice," but you'll have to ask Tim about that one.
On second thought, don't do that either.
In my current season of life, I put myself out there on my blog. And for every person that reads my blog, there's a difference response or opinion, whether its shared with me or not. From my estimation, after last week's post and the responses I've received, some people, family members even, think Tim and I are at best ridiculously naive and at worst completely foolish and crazy.
Both may be true, although I'm pretty sure we're only crazy in a good way. Then again, I may be crazy :)
Tim and I are keenly aware of the fact that we don't know anything about adoption. We'll learn. We see our challenge in this as being willing and completely submitted to God and to trust His timing.
Good thing is we're ok with people thinking we're crazy. Its happened to us before :) People thought we were nuts when we didn't go to Senegal. Some probably still think we're flighty. Obedient is our objective and we don't take that lightly. He called us to stay, as much as that still pains us, and our deepest desire as we wrestle with adoption is to be obedient to God once again. Even if it seems cra-cra.
What we do know is 2 fold: God loves adoption, He adopted us. And our family isn't complete yet. I can't help but wonder if the two are related. Cheers.
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| Look, incomplete! Pretty sure that's why the boys are unhappy, they want another sibling(s) :) |
"God loves adoption, He adopted us. And our family isn't complete yet. I can't help but wonder if the two are related. Cheers." Loved that statement! :-)
ReplyDelete~Sarah
That statement speaks to my heart as well :)
DeleteI love you and I love your heart!
ReplyDeleteditto!
DeleteNothing crazy about adoption. I know people who have large families from adoption (e.g., 18 children). Glad to see you taking another step and continue the wrestling :-) Maybe do some reading? There are tons of books out there (and as many perspectives on adoption too). Check out, “Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew” by Sherrie Eldridge. Not true for all adoptees, but can bring to light some of the issues to be aware of when raising a child from adoption. One of the best things I read before I adopted, that was most helpful after, was “Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today's Parents” by Deborah D. Gray. (This is an updated version of the book I read.) This really helped prepare me and I still use a lot of the advice today. Or check out Dr. Karyn Purvis’ book, “The Connected Child” or the “Empowered to Connect” website with videos, articles, a blog, study guide, etc. It can never hurt to explore.
ReplyDeleteWe have so much to learn and I'm thankful for all the resources we have in friends and social networks. Thanks for your recommendations! At some point, it would be fun to sit down and chat :)
DeleteAs one who was adopted by loving parents 46 1/2 years ago, I can say I am very grateful that they opened their hearts to the idea. My parents were only able to have one natural child, so adoption was their only other option to have more. Only God knows what might have become of me if my unmarried birth parents (in 1966, - it was not as accepted as now) had not given me up. I could have been aborted, I could have wound up in poverty, I could have been abused out of resentment for having been conceived. Fortunately, by the grace of God, at 5 1/2 months old, I was placed with the parents I was supposed to have. I embrace two meanings of the word adoption when I think of God adopting us :)
ReplyDeleteWe're blessed to have all of you in our family. I have to say, I know I knew you were adopted, but you look so much like the rest of your family, never would have guessed! Thanks for reading and for leaving a comment :)
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