I have read many of the open letters about the struggle and inclusion/exclusion issues of women on Mother's Day and my heart is for each person who struggles anytime a day meant for celebration is occurring. I believe that each perspective and heart is valuable.
I want to use this today to say a special tribute to the moms who are fostering, adopting, have adopted, want to foster/adopt, and anyone else who has raised or will raise children who were not born to them.
To the women who give their hearts so selflessly to children knowing that we are not their only mother. Bless you for your courage to live in a space of vulnerability and for allowing your children the space to love two women for different reasons.
To the women who are unafraid to love hard and long, knowing that the kids may be taken and part of our hearts gone with them. Bless you for fearlessness to give your all to a child in the face of having your all shattered and trusting that God will heal you if it comes to that.
To the women who foster and love kids during their in-between spaces. Bless you for your strength in loving children 100% and serving as the structure builder and heart readier for kids as they go back to their parents' homes or into adoptive homes.
To the women who waited or will wait the 48 hours in the hospital for the biological mother to sign the documents, your anticipation of your child is reflective of the anticipation of the heart of God for us. To the mother who waits and the signatures never happen, bless you for putting your heart on the line and prayers that God heals your heart. For the mother who signs those documents, bless you for making the most difficult decision you may ever make in your life. For the mother who does not, blessings on you as you take the role of mother and nurture your baby.
To the mother who is filing paperwork in a country with rules completely different from ours, bless your willingness to walk in God's direction for seeking your child. For those who are stuck, countries closing, processes changing, and experiencing other let-downs--your struggle is seen and heard. Bless you for not giving up and for pushing into what is next for your family.
For those who are raising nieces, nephews, grandchildren, fictive kin...bless you for enveloping that child in family and helping keep the ties that bind together.
For all of these women and any others that are not mentioned specifically, bless you for being a mother. For showing God's heart for pursuing His children and how our desirability and lovability are not tied to our ability to desire and love Him. To each of you who have experienced the Spirit of Adoption first hand and understand the joys and pain of the real walk of the redemptive work of Christ.
To each mother who understands that our place was not the perfectly designed family that God had in mind, but is the miracle of the redemptive work of Christ played out in video form in our families. And that sometimes it looks like a child who, with tears in his eyes says, "You're the best mom I've ever had." And other times, it looks like a child who is fitting in bed and screaming at you to leave her alone and that she doesn't want you.
To the moms who find God's redemptive work throughout their story of motherhood, my heart is with you today and I pray that God's richest blessings rain down on your life and help you to stay full no matter where your kid(s) land today. That you will find strength and validation in the identity that Christ has bestowed upon you and not in the temporary feelings of the relationships we experience. That you will find courage to love wholeheartedly even if you lose or are rejected. That you will have all wisdom to say what is true and connect with your kids at every level.
You are brave, you are strong, you are courageous, and you are not alone.
Love to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment