This week has been a stressful one at our house. Days spent revisiting recent behaviors of one of our kids. Behaviors that have immediate consequences now and destructive consequences in the future if the heart is not changed.
I started this blog in 2008 to connect with other adoptive/foster moms as a way of sorting through our adoption story and finding encouragement from and giving encouragement to other moms walking the same path.
No matter how easy the transition or how precious the child, adoption is about loss. And for many of our kids it may also involve past abuse and neglect with abandonment we cannot possibly understand.
Even after 13 years our two youngest adopted children still struggle with more than just the “normal” teen angst. The messages their birth parents wrote on their heart still rise up unexpectedly to throw them in a tailspin when life tears down the walls of love we have tried to build.
Our children are loved, safe and blossoming within the walls of our home. Yet as they intersect with the world and try to hang on to the belief that they are wanted and cherished it gets more difficult to protect them from negative messages and behaviors.
As I cried and pleaded with God in the wee hours of a recent morning this song by Matt Redman came up on my Ipod.
Jesus, I could sing in the tongues of men and angels but if I have not love I am just a clanging cymbal, and empty sound.
Oh, God, help me love when it’s the hardest, knowing my love is inadequate but Yours is not.
It’s the overflow of hearts As we gaze upon Your beauty
Lord, let my heart overflow with wisdom and encouragement.
A reflection of Your worth For we’ve seen a glimpse of You in Your glory, Lord
May my children see their worth in You, not as the world sees, but in Your loving plan.
(If you are reading this via reader or email please click on post title to view video.)
Jesus, I could sing
In the tongues of men and angels
But if I have not love
I am just a clanging cymbal, and empty sound
2x
Chorus:
This is a love song
This is a love song
Jesus, a love song to You
A song of devotion, a reverent passion
Savior, a love song to You
Jesus, I could pray
With a faith that moves a mountain
But if I have not love
It is just a noise resounding, an empty sound
2x
Chorus 2x
This is a love song to You
Hear our devotion
Chorus
It’s the overflow of hearts
As we gaze upon Your beauty
A reflection of Your worth
For we’ve seen a glimpse of You in Your glory, Lord
Linking with: The Better Mom, The Alabaster Jar, Modest Mom Blog, A Mama’s Story, Far Above Rubies
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My sister adopted 3 sibling girls years ago, and they struggle with the negative talk the world gives as well. It’s a difficult thing for the parents, but you’ve beautifully expressed the importance of the love of Christ for them. IF we don’t have love, we’re just another voice in the din.
Thanks for the post!
Lisa
Hi, Lisa. Thank you so much for sharing about your sister and being encouraging in our adoption story. Loving as Christ loved us is not easy but it is essential. I hope you will connect your sister with my blog and we can be encouragement for each other.
1. Blogging since 2008? Go you. I’m not sure I even thought about it until two years after that.
2. Love the song.
3. Visiting from Jen’s.
4. You like this list? I can’t stop numbering. Ha!
Hi, Amy! Thanks for your humorous comment! Yes, I’ve been blogging since 2008 but only seriously since last year and mostly DIY since then. Still learning my way around as a “pro!” Thanks so much for visiting and I hope you’ll come back soon!
Hi Marty,
I’m visiting from Solio Deo Gloria. I don’t remember if I mentioned to you that we have two adopted children-now grown men. Then struggle with their identity and rejection even to this day. One is 24, the other 31. They seek that acceptance and love in lots of destructive ways–and in ways that could cost them heartache on down the road. I continually pray for our sons using Stormie O’Martian’s book, “The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children.” Would love to talk with you more–perhaps through email about what our adoption looked like–and still looks like.
Blessings,
Janis
Praying for you