Wednesday, November 2, 2011

surviving lunch, surviving the rest

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so this post will be worth millions.  OK, 9,000 to be exact.  And I'm still gonna add a few actual words.  I was crazy (sadistic?) enough to capture on camera one of today's lunchtime episodes.  I say "one of" because it wasn't the only incident.  Sigh.  At the time it was my way of laughing rather than crying.  But as I looked back over the photos, I saw just how accurately it depicts the journey we've been on:  the honest-to-goodness, non-sugarcoated mission of transforming an orphan into a son, of restoring joy, peace, and security to a broken soul. 





This is every day in my house.  This is every week.  Today it was about me not feeding him the next bite while there was still unchewed food  in his mouth.  Tomorrow it may be about something else...ongoing fear and grief manifesting themselves in various contexts.  This is five-months-home-but-still-so-far-to-go.  This is the Father inviting us to cooperate with Him in the messy, painful, holy task of binding up the brokenhearted, loving when there's no immediate gratification, and laying our lives down in obedience.  This is parenting.



This is the journey we said yes to.  It's no sprint; it's a marathon.  And I'm encouraged by the "great cloud of witnesses" cheering me on as I run with perseverance.  Slow and steady, love will win the race. 


There's a prize waiting.  There's recovery ahead.  There's joy coming in the morning.  Not sure if he knows it yet.  But I know it. 



Sunday, November 6, 2011 is Orphan Sunday.  I will be attending this LIVE event here in my hometown!  You can participate by watching the free webcast at 6 PM Central Time.

 

7 comments:

Krissy said...

so sorry for the daily tears and fears, thankful for your willingness to persevere...daily!

petiteblogger said...

Oh, we have these daily struggles also. This strong will of theirs is very very strong, isn't it?
Hitting, Head-banging, "NO!", Tears, etc etc etc... all to tell Mom that she does get to play with the straight pins, or have candy before dinner, or color on sister's picture...

Praying for you! (Pray for me too!)
:)
~amber

Johanna said...

Beautiful post......the gospel in your living room!! Cheering you on!!!!!! He sure is cute:).....keep pressing on,girl....and blogging, your words are so encouraging to one who will soon be on the same road. (((hugs)))....gonna share your post on my fb wall if that's ok!!

Rita and John said...

What a beautiful post!

Hannah said...

I pray for an abundance of grace for you and peace for your home...

Amy said...

I so want to give you words of wisdom.. that I just don't have. Give him (& Him) all the love you can- it will come back to you in time.
~Amy

M. said...

<> So understand you! Been there, doin' that. Took video, too. Just to make sure I am not really dreaming all of this. =P