Redemption is messy, you have to get close enough to people to risk being falsely accused. That is what Jesus did. He did not hesitate to intervene even though he knew others would misinterpret his actions and he would be judged by the people of the day.
Jesus was willing to pay the full price, even death so He could offer redemption to a fallen people. What about us, are you willing pay the price, am I?
It is human nature to be willing to do things where we will receive praise and honor. But is that the redemptive love Jesus portrayed?
Sometimes I struggle with the ministry God has given Dean and I. I tend to think it would be so much easier if our mission was outside of our home. If the walls of our house could be a refuge from the toil and pain of the outside world. But God called us to the mission of adoption, and while I wouldn't have it any other way, it is tough sometimes.
Adoption is messy. In a sense we are redeeming lives from the cycle of abuse, poverty and addiction that so often play a part in our children's pasts. Those strongholds will not be easily tossed aside. They, along with genetic "tendencies" are vying for the lives of our children. We are in a fight between good and evil. The age old battle between God and Satan is still being played out across the world. Naturally Satan does not want to give up one of these little one's. His plan is to keep them locked in the life of bondage they were born into, slaves to sin and self. Is it any wonder that the world of foster care and adoption is fraught with pain and turmoil?
Just because our children are now in Christian homes, doesn't mean they are automatically protected from the trauma and pain of their past. In fact, I wonder if some of the intense struggles some families face while trying to parent and bond with their children is not a direct attack, an intense all out effort to keep our children from loving their parents and following Jesus. Think about it, if our children cannot learn to love and trust us, their earthly parents, how much harder it will be for them to learn to trust their Heavenly Father?
This attack on our children's ability to bond has a two fold purpose. What better way to discourage a follower of Jesus, a lover of children, than to have a child come in to their home who takes everything he is given and uses it to hurt and destroy? When a child will not/can not/ does not love you and appears to adore everyone else, you seriously begin to doubt your ability to parent. When the child falsely accuses you, you begin to doubt your integrity. Maybe you aren't who you thought you were. Maybe there is something wrong with you. When you no longer trust yourself, your faith in God is next in the line of attack. If you aren't careful, you fall for the evil lies Satan is planting in your mind. You need someone to speak truth into your heart because so quickly both you and your child have totally lost your way. Just what the enemy of our soul is trying to accomplish.
Sometimes I succumb to fear when I think of what my little ones are up against. They have so many battle's ahead, battles that Dean and I have no experience navigating because we were loved and cared for as children. Then I remind myself, who is on our side and I take fresh courage. I remember that the battle is the Lord's, he is the one who called us to adoption and he will make a way.
So friend when parenting your child feels like a losing battle, when tears and sorrow envelope your heart instead of joy, remember: IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?!
As I was pondering this blog post this song came to mind...
also shared on Mama Moments Linky party
Jesus was willing to pay the full price, even death so He could offer redemption to a fallen people. What about us, are you willing pay the price, am I?
It is human nature to be willing to do things where we will receive praise and honor. But is that the redemptive love Jesus portrayed?
Sometimes I struggle with the ministry God has given Dean and I. I tend to think it would be so much easier if our mission was outside of our home. If the walls of our house could be a refuge from the toil and pain of the outside world. But God called us to the mission of adoption, and while I wouldn't have it any other way, it is tough sometimes.
Adoption is messy. In a sense we are redeeming lives from the cycle of abuse, poverty and addiction that so often play a part in our children's pasts. Those strongholds will not be easily tossed aside. They, along with genetic "tendencies" are vying for the lives of our children. We are in a fight between good and evil. The age old battle between God and Satan is still being played out across the world. Naturally Satan does not want to give up one of these little one's. His plan is to keep them locked in the life of bondage they were born into, slaves to sin and self. Is it any wonder that the world of foster care and adoption is fraught with pain and turmoil?
Just because our children are now in Christian homes, doesn't mean they are automatically protected from the trauma and pain of their past. In fact, I wonder if some of the intense struggles some families face while trying to parent and bond with their children is not a direct attack, an intense all out effort to keep our children from loving their parents and following Jesus. Think about it, if our children cannot learn to love and trust us, their earthly parents, how much harder it will be for them to learn to trust their Heavenly Father?
This attack on our children's ability to bond has a two fold purpose. What better way to discourage a follower of Jesus, a lover of children, than to have a child come in to their home who takes everything he is given and uses it to hurt and destroy? When a child will not/can not/ does not love you and appears to adore everyone else, you seriously begin to doubt your ability to parent. When the child falsely accuses you, you begin to doubt your integrity. Maybe you aren't who you thought you were. Maybe there is something wrong with you. When you no longer trust yourself, your faith in God is next in the line of attack. If you aren't careful, you fall for the evil lies Satan is planting in your mind. You need someone to speak truth into your heart because so quickly both you and your child have totally lost your way. Just what the enemy of our soul is trying to accomplish.
Sometimes I succumb to fear when I think of what my little ones are up against. They have so many battle's ahead, battles that Dean and I have no experience navigating because we were loved and cared for as children. Then I remind myself, who is on our side and I take fresh courage. I remember that the battle is the Lord's, he is the one who called us to adoption and he will make a way.
So friend when parenting your child feels like a losing battle, when tears and sorrow envelope your heart instead of joy, remember: IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?!
As I was pondering this blog post this song came to mind...
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
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also shared on Mama Moments Linky party
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