Adopting older children has some very specific challenges. But there are also some amazing and unique blessings. Among those: the freedom to brag unashamedly.
You know, most parents have to navigate a fine line---bragging on how great my kids are can be misconstrued as saying how great I am..."Look what awesome humans I have created and trained!" But as adoptive parents of older children, who arrive in our home with a sense of who they are--we are free to tell about how neat they are, without fear of self agrandizement.
Yesterday, as Jonathan was waiting at the school for classes to be released, a woman approached him requesting assistance with school related expenses. He explained, that while the Mision does have a program to help with those costs, the budget for uniforms had already been exhausted for the year, and most of the school supplies had already been distributed. She pressed, "But I just need one notebook. Even one notebook would help." Before Jonathan could even respond, our son jumped in, "I have one that only has one used page, you can have it!" and proceeded to rip open his backpack, remove the one written on page and smilingly hand her his notebook--one of the few possessions he brought with him when transitioning to our home. What a beautiful heart!
I am sure every parent acknowledges that the beauty we see in our children is merely a reflection of God's spirit in them, and no work of our own hands. But in our unique circumstance, raising kids who are not the "do-it-yourself-kit", it is so much more obvious.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139: 13-14
