What We Need

I got in trouble once during a Women's Bible Study prayer time.

Out loud, I gave thanks for the trials in my life.  I knew they had passed through the throne room and I knew the Lord had purposed or allowed them for my good and His glory.

A lady there didn't take well to the concept. 

She was going through a very difficult time and it was too much for her to consider that a loving Father would purpose or allow such things. She lashed out in anger.

Believers, everything we are going through is growing us to be more like Christ. 

...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 1:6

Can you look the Lord in the face and say, "Thank you, Father.... for these attachment struggles."  

 He's not too concerned with what we want.  He's more concerned with what we need.

Piece by Piece

Our adopted/foster kids have come to us because someone else "left them"...  "abandoned them" ... didn't want them".... "rejected them"..."chose not to parent them"..."couldn't care for them"...'they were taken away" ..."their parents were taken away"...."they were unloved"..."they were/are unlovable"....


Lots to process.

Loving Well

This article.

I'll always remember this moment w/ fondness.

The kind lady at Park Day who kindly came over to tell me that my child was "under the slide going potty."  The kindness in her eyes.  Burned into my mind.

And this one. 

The group of home-educating moms who helped me search for a different child of mine who had wandered off at the Zoo Field Trip.  She was later found ...not at the bottom of the lake THANK GOD, but in the playground area...oblivious to the panicked state her mother was in.

There was the time a dear friend of mine...my child's co-op teacher came to me and tenderly let me know that my child was biting her toe nails.  In class.

And the dear friends who got over their frustration when my kid blew out their kid's birthday cake candles.

I've got a million stories that would give you an idea of the sorts of friends the Lord has provided us with over the years....those who loved us or at least tried to loves us through the hard days and seasons.

Of course, there are stories and examples of those who didn't love so well.  I choose not to focus on those ones.  

Those who forgive much have been forgiven of much.  

 A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11