The question is, "What happened to your child's parents?" or "How did they become an orphan?"
Being the curious type myself, I have in the past indulged people's curiosity and answered the question. Perhaps I also wanted them to see how amazing God is, and how God loves redemption.
But there's a problem with answering those questions. The problem is that they are not my answers to give. They are my children's stories, and it was wrong of me to share them without their permission. They're not old enough to give me permission yet. They're not old enough to even grasp the things that they have had to endure, let alone discuss them with others.
So, I am letting you all know that I will from here on out I will be silent about my children's past. And if you know their stories, I trust that you will respect my children's privacy and will be silent as well.
This is what I will tell you, because this is what is most important. God has never forgotten my kids. I believe that He has always been near them, with them. And it was God who showed us where they were and gave us the courage to walk in faith to them. It is God who is showing us how to help their hearts and bodies heal. And don't we all need healing? Haven't we all been wounded at some point in our lives? Don't we just want people to know that we serve the Great Healer, without everyone always having to know what we needed to be healed from?
Thank you for caring about our family, and for loving our children. Our kids are so blessed to have wonderful people who care about them. And you, my friends, are so blessed to know my kids, not just because they are amazing (and they are), but because God has given you a picture
of Heaven through them.
My three precious treasures (looking forward to having a picture of the 4 of them together!).
This totally shows Havyn's personality! I love it!
I love this.
ReplyDeleteI had an interesting encounter with recently where the tables were turned. I was babysitting for a friend and an adoptive mom approached ME asking for the child's story. "When did you get her? Where is she from? Do you know about her parents? How old was she when you chose her?" It was the most awkward thing because I didn't realize until half way through our conversation that she assumed, because the child is Asian and I am not, that I must have adopted her! Now, I am all for adoption of orphans, but I found it very strange that she would be so racially conscious as to assume I must have adopted simply because she did ... and her daughter just happened to look like the one I was holding. The girls, by the way, are not even of the same national decent. Her daughter is from China; my friend is Indonesian. Anyway, it was an interesting afternoon. :)
I think this post reflects our current culture to post everything on the internet. The internet (and everything you post on it) is forever. I agree that robs our children.
ReplyDeleteHowever, intimate sharing, caring and praying for each other in close fellowship is part of our Christian calling. It's a privilege for us to share our story with our faith family. Don't rob yourself or your children of that blessing.
Diane
Thanks for your comments, Tanya and Diane.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Diane, and we have shared some things with our close friends. However, we have made the mistake in the past of sharing with anyone who asked, and I now regret that. I do worry, though, about some of what we shared getting back to our children in a hurtful way. For example, what if we shared with a friend who has children our children's age, and their children use our children's story in a way that is hurtful to them. We are just trying to protect their hearts, but you are right when you talk about the blessing of our faith family. Thank you!